Department for Transport

Bus Services: Concessions

John Grogan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make an estimate of the potential cost to the public purse of (a) restoring free off-peak bus travel to people aged 60 and over in England and (b) giving free bus travel to people aged 18 to 25 in England.

Ms Nusrat Ghani: The current national concessionary scheme costs around £1 billion and, given the pressure on public finances, any further extensions to the scheme could jeopardise its sustainability. Restoring the previous age of eligibility for concessionary bus travel to sixty would see a return to the anomalous position of non-disabled, working-age citizens receiving free bus passes. Re-establishing the link between concessionary bus pass eligibility and the state pension age has addressed that issue. There are no plans to implement a national bus concession for young people. However, my Department continues to engage with the Department for Education on other concessions such as for apprenticeships. In addition, the new Enhanced Partnership powers in the Bus Services Act allows local transport authorities and bus operators to agree standard ticket rules, such as eligibility for reduced fares across operators. Local authorities already have the discretion to offer additional concessions, and are best placed to make decisions that match local needs and circumstances.

Maritime and Coastguard Agency: Public Appointments

Karl Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the timetable is for the recruitment process for the next Chief Executive Officer of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency to be completed.

Ms Nusrat Ghani: The interviews for the recruitment of the next Chief Executive Officer of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency are currently scheduled to take place on 1 June 2018. The decision on the recruitment should take place shortly thereafter.

Bus Services: Disability

Daniel Zeichner: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 24 April 2018 to Questions 135948 and 135949 on Bus Services: Disability, and with reference to the recently developed best practice guidance referenced on page 45 of his Department's Accessibility Action Plan Consultation document, published in August 2017, what outcomes the Government has set for bus operators' disability equality awareness training.

Daniel Zeichner: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 24 April 2018 to Questions 135948 and 135949 on Bus Services: Disability, whether the Government’s recently developed best practice guidance, as referenced on page 45 of his Department's Accessibility Action Plan Consultation document, published in August 2017, has been circulated to bus operators.

Daniel Zeichner: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 24 April 2018 to Questions 135948 and 135949, on Bus Services: Disability, what plans the Government has to publish the content of its disability equality and awareness training recently developed best practice guidance for bus operators, referenced on page 45 of his Department's Accessibility Action Plan Consultation document, published in August 2017; and what the timetable is for the publication of that content.

Ms Nusrat Ghani: Effective disability awareness and equality training can help provide transport staff with the knowledge and skills to give every passenger the assistance they require, contributing towards our desired outcome of a transport system which works for everyone. We have worked with our contractor Mott MacDonald, and with bus companies and disabled people to develop best practice guidance on delivering disability awareness training. To update the document in light of the Supreme Court’s ruling on the use of wheelchair spaces on buses, we are now seeking advice from industry representatives on its finalisation and dissemination. We intend to publish the guidance later in 2018.

Department for Transport: Apprentices

Jack Lopresti: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what levels of apprenticeships are offered by his Department; and how many apprenticeship starts there were at each level in each of the last three years.

Ms Nusrat Ghani: This response covers the Department for Transport – comprising the central Department and the four Executive Agencies. We only hold the requested data for the last two financial years. Apprenticeship starts and levels are as follows:  Level 2Level 3Level 4 and Higher April 2016 – March 20176561122April 2017 – March 2018387116 This has been a transitional year for apprenticeships with the release of new apprenticeships standards ready for delivery, the implementation of the new apprenticeship funding regulations and the availability of the new Civil Service Learning Apprenticeship contract. For the Department, the delay in the availability of new professional apprenticeships standards coupled with the delayed availability of the new Civil Service Learning apprenticeships contract made strategic workforce planning difficult this year. This was further impeded by changes to funding processes which resulted in projected starts for 2017/18 not materialising until after the end of the 2017/18 target period. In addition, a decision by DVLA to refresh its workforce strategy led to a reduction of its internal apprenticeship start target (as based in Wales this did not affect the Department’s apprenticeship start target set by Cabinet Office). Looking forward, several leadership and management apprenticeship cohorts are now in place across the Department, with a Department wide HR apprenticeship cohort planned to start in June. Should these cohorts prove successful, the department will look to embed these apprenticeships in future development programmes. The quality of apprenticeship delivery has been an issue but supplier management has been a key focus of the Department’s recent activity. Now that the wider Civil Service Learning apprenticeship provision is available, work is underway to further utilise apprenticeships to build capability and develop talent pipelines within the professions.

Maritime and Coastguard Agency

Karl Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment he has made of the effect of changes to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s (MCA) national network of marine offices on the MCA’s capacity to enforce international maritime regulations.

Ms Nusrat Ghani: The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) remains committed to enforcing international maritime regulations. Rationalising the Marine Office network sits alongside the introduction of remote working so that Marine Surveyors can be located closer to where the MCA’s services are most required. This work is not yet complete. Once completed, the effectiveness of the changes will be reviewed.

East Midlands Trains

Bim Afolami: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether improvements to infrastructure and the capacity for East Midlands Trains will be completed in 2020; and what steps his Department is taking to prevent delays to services serving stations along that route post-2020.

Joseph Johnson: We are investing in the biggest upgrade of the Midland Main Line since it was completed in 1870. This infrastructure upgrade will create capacity for up to 50% more seats in the peak into London St Pancras. We continue to work closely with Network Rail on the upgrade, and based on their plans and projections at this time, delivery is expected in 2020. We will shortly be announcing the Invitation to Tender for the next East Midlands franchise, which will set out how we want to see the next operator make best use of this additional capacity. For journeys between Corby and London, the consultation on the next East Midlands franchise proposed that passengers benefit from a new and dedicated express service. From 2020, it was proposed that the trains would be fast, like today, but also longer, with more seats. This would enable the next operator of the East Midlands franchise to resume peak-time services at Bedford and Luton.

Lakes Railway Line: Cumbria

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he has taken to (a) improve the performance and (b) reduce train cancellations on the Lakes line between Windermere and Oxenholme.

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the merits of removing the Lakes line franchise in Cumbria from Northern Rail’s control.

Joseph Johnson: The assessment on the merits of removing Northern from operating services are done through the terms of the franchise agreement. Northern are currently being assessed against their mitigating actions to improve performance to an acceptable level on this line. By December 2018, passengers will benefit from four direct services a day in each direction between Windermere and Manchester Airport. Northern have also begun work to explore the possibility of deploying alternative fuel trains on the route in the future. The Department are currently in regular dialogue with Northern on their mitigating actions to improve performance.

East Midlands Trains

Andy McDonald: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the apportioning of ticket revenues and cross-subsidy arrangements between Stagecoach companies Megabus and East Midlands Trains for the provision of travel on the East Midlands Trains route.

Andy McDonald: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans he has to instruct the Competition and Markets Authority to investigate potentially anti-competitive practices by Stagecoach companies Megabus and East Midlands Trains for the provision of travel on the East Midlands Trains route.

Joseph Johnson: Holding answer received on 15 May 2018



The department is not aware of potentially anti-competitive practises. Revenue allocation arrangements are a matter for Rail Settlement Plan Ltd and individual bus operators.As the UK’s independent competition regulator it is for the Competition and Markets Authority to investigate anti-competitive practices and details of how to raise concerns with the CMA can be found on their website. The independent rail regulator, the Office of Rail and Road, also has a role in this area under its concurrent competition powers.

Community Transport

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to support community transport operators.

Jesse Norman: I refer my Hon Friend to my answer of 1 December 2017, UIN 116038.

Driving: Licensing

Hywel Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the average time taken for the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency was to issue driving licence forms in the Welsh language when such forms were requested in the last 12 months.

Jesse Norman: The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency’s (DVLA) service standards are the same for both English and Welsh languages. All driving licence forms in either Welsh or English are available to order online via the GOV.UK website. The forms can also be ordered by telephoning the DVLA’s contact centre. Forms are issued within seven to 10 days of the DVLA receiving the request. The Welsh language version of the D1 driving licence application form is also available at some Post Offices in Wales.

Heathrow Airport Limited

Ruth Cadbury: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what meetings (a) he, (b) Ministers of his Department and (c) officials of his Department have held with Heathrow Airport Limited on the proposed north-west runway since 2 February 2017.

Ruth Cadbury: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, on what days and for what purpose (a) he, (b) Ministers of his Department and (c) officials of his Department have met Heathrow Airport Limited since 2 February 2017.

Jesse Norman: Ministers and officials have met regularly with Heathrow Airport Limited (HAL) since 2 February 2017 to discuss a wide range of issues relating to the operation of the UK’s largest airport, as well as the potential delivery of its expansion. When Ministers and officials meet with HAL to discuss expansion, these meetings are governed by propriety arrangements set out in the Statement of Approach, which is published online: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/653867/engaging-with-stakeholders-statement-of-approach-revised-draft-airports-nps.pdf. The Government launched a public consultation on the draft Airports NPS on 2 February 2017. This initial consultation closed on 25 May, and a further consultation on the revised draft Airports NPS was launched on 24 October 2017, closing on 19 December. A TSC report on the content of the Airports NPS was subsequently published on 23 March 2018. The Government is now in the process of considering the responses to both consultations as well as the TSC’s recommendations contained within their final report.

Driving: Licensing

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many drivers have had their licences revoked as a result of having failed an eye test in each year since 2010.

Jesse Norman: The table below shows the number of Group 1 (car/motorcycle) and Group 2 (bus/lorry) driving licences that have been revoked or applications for a driving licence refused, for poor vision in each year since 2010. Some of these may have been based on a driver’s own declaration regarding the standard of their vision. Some Group 2 drivers may have been revoked or refused entitlement to drive both Group 1 and Group 2 vehicles. Therefore, there may be some duplication in the figures. Also, the medical standards for driving Group 2 vehicles are more stringent than those for Group 1. This means that some drivers will have been refused entitlement to drive Group 2 vehicles, but retained their Group 1 entitlement. YearGroup 1 DriversGroup 2 Drivers20104,71144020115,06462020126,96089320138,3432,11320149,0741,30620159,0501,13320169,0921,29820178,1921,192

Cycling and  Walking: Easington

Grahame Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 8 May 2018 to Question 140051 on Cycling: Rural Areas, how much of the £1.2 billion of funding available for cycling and walking has been allocated to Easington constituency.

Jesse Norman: The Department does not hold a detailed breakdown of funding for cycling and walking by Parliamentary constituency. However, the tables below provide a guide to the funding allocated to local bodies which may be spent within the Easington constituency. North East Local Combined Authority Funding programme£mSustainable Travel Transition Year (2016/17) – Go Smarter project which supported cycling and walking to workplaces, schools and colleges.2.343Access Fund – Walk to project which supports walking and cycling to workplaces, schools and colleges (2017-2020)*7.498Total9.841 *The North East Local Combined Authority is part of a joint bid led by Blackpool Borough Council and ten local bodies. Durham County Council Funding programme£mBikeability (national cycling training) (2016/17-2017/18)0.198Total0.198 The North East Local Enterprise Partnership has allocated £10.4m from the Local Growth Fund to cycling and walking projects between 2016/17 and 2020/21. This is based on self-reported data received from the Local Enterprise Partnership. Further funding may be allocated to projects within the Easington constituency from Highways England designated funds or though the Integrated Transport Block or Highways Maintenance Block allocated to Durham County Council.

Network Rail: Standards

Andy McDonald: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answers of 9 May 2018 to Questions 140753 and 140754 on Network Rail: Standards, when he plans to publish the (a) targets and (b) benchmarks the Office for Rail and Road will bring forward as part of its regulatory approach to ensure improvements to Network Rail’s (i) unit costs and (ii) productivity in Control Period 6.

Joseph Johnson: Government has made clear its expectation that the management of rail infrastructure should become more efficient over the course of CP6, but it has no plans to publish these targets and benchmarks. Publication is a matter for the independent Office of Rail and Road (ORR). We expect the ORR to publish its initial assessment of NR’s efficiency in the Draft Determination, which is scheduled for publication during June. Following consultation, the ORR will finalise its assessment in the Final Determination, expected in the Autumn. ORR has the ability to levy financial penalties on Network Rail for a license breach.

Network Rail: Standards

Andy McDonald: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answers of 9 May 2018 to Questions 140753 and 140754 provided on May 9th on Network Rail: Standards, whether the Office for Rail and Road will be able to levy financial penalties on Network Rail in the event that it does not deliver improvements to (a) unit costs and (b) productivity in Control Period 6.

Joseph Johnson: Government set out its High Level Output Specification and Statement of Funds Available for the railway during 2017. In doing so, Government made clear its expectation that improvements in the efficiency of the management of rail infrastructure will be made over the course of Control Period 6. The independent Office of Rail and Road (ORR) is in the process of producing its Draft Determination, which is expected to be published in the course of June. Alongside this, the ORR will update the Network Licence by which it holds NR to account, and may review the associated enforcement policies which determine the means by which penalties may be levied upon Network Rail. Decisions on this issue are properly a matter for the ORR, which is accountable to Parliament, rather than Government. ORR has the ability to levy financial penalties on Network Rail for a licence breach.

Network Rail: Standards

Andy McDonald: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to Parliamentary answers of 9 May to Questions 140753 and 140754 on Network Rail: Standards, whether the Office for Rail and Road’s regulatory approach to Network Rail in Control Period 6 will (a) benchmark and (b) measure route level (i) unit costs and (ii) productivity.

Joseph Johnson: Government has made clear its expectation that the management of rail infrastructure should become more efficient over the course of CP6. The precise regulatory approach adopted is a matter for the independent Office of Rail and Road, not for Government. ORR has a stated aspiration that, during CP6, the railway realises the benefits from informed comparisons between routes based on more extensive data with which to benchmark route performance. In CP6 ORR will require Network Rail’s routes to provide better analysis of changes to their costs, including unit costs and productivity. ORR will report on and compare these in its routine Monitor and Annual Efficiency and Finance Assessment of Network Rail publications. ORR will formally indicate its preferred regulatory approach in its Draft Determination, which we expect to be published for consultation during the course of June.

Blue Badge Scheme

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department plans to take steps to simplify the application process for a Blue Badge for organisations that are required to prove that a service user is entitled to a Blue Badge.

Jesse Norman: The current Blue Badge service contract will end on 31st December 2018. The Department commissioned work in May 2017 to look at replacing and improving the current service. The detail of the online application process for the new, replacement service will be tested with users, including organisations, and driven by their needs.

Great Western Railway: Rolling Stock

Stephen Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what testing period was agreed with Hitachi for the new rolling stock for Great Western Railway.

Joseph Johnson: New IEP trains underwent a comprehensive testing programme ahead of entering into passenger service. The programme agreed with Agility Trains and Hitachi Rail commenced in 2015 and completed in October 2017.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Renewable Energy

Heidi Allen: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps his Department is taking to reduce (a) energy consumption and (b) energy production from biomass fuel after the UK leaves the EU; and what steps his Department is taking to encourage other forms of renewable energy through subsidies.

Claire Perry: For business energy consumption we outlined in the Government’s Clean Growth Strategy, published in 2017, our goal to enable businesses and industry to improve energy efficiency by at least 20 per cent by 2030. This will contribute to overall economic growth by reducing the amount of energy required per unit of output.Sustainable, low carbon bioenergy has helped the UK move to a low-carbon energy mix, increase our energy security and keep costs down for consumers. We see the use of biomass as a transitional technology and have announced that support for all coal to biomass conversions will end in 2027.The Contracts for Difference scheme is our main mechanism for supporting new renewable energy generation projects. The Clean Growth Strategy announced up to £557m of annual support for future Contracts for Difference auctions, providing developers with the confidence they need to invest in bringing forward new projects.

Energy: Housing

Mrs Sharon Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps he is taking to help consumers save domestic household energy.

Claire Perry: The Clean Growth Strategy (the Strategy), sets out Government’s aspiration that as many homes as possible will be upgraded to an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) band C by 2035, where practical, cost-effective and affordable. To meet this aspiration, several policies and proposals, which will also help consumers to save domestic household energy, have been outlined in the Strategy, including:1) Developing a long-term trajectory to improve the energy performance standards of privately rented homes, with the aim of upgrading as many homes as possible to EPC Band C by 2030 where practical, cost-effective and affordable. We will consider options by consulting on this in 2018 and looking at how social housing can meet equivalent standards over the same period.2) Seeking evidence on building a market for energy efficiency, including additional measures to improve energy performance of owner occupied homes through a Call for Evidence published alongside the Clean Growth Strategy. This Call for Evidence closed on 9 January 2018. Following an evaluation of the responses, we will publish an action plan on additional market-based measures later in 2018.3) Following the outcome of the independent review of Building Regulations and fire safety, and subject to its conclusions, consulting on strengthening energy performance standards for new and existing homes under Building Regulations, including futureproofing new homes for low carbon heating systems.4) We have recently consulted on reforms to ECO which would focus the whole scheme on low income and vulnerable households whilst encouraging more innovation so bring down the long-term costs of energy efficiency.5) This proposal and our commitment to extend support for home energy efficiency improvements until 2028 at the current level of ECO funding, will support over £6 billion of investment over the next decade.The Government has also committed to ensuring that every home and small business in the country is offered a smart meter by the end of 2020. Smart meters will enable customers to take control of their energy use, save money on bills and reduce their household energy.

Fire Regulations

Anneliese Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, pursuant to the Answer of 2 May 2018 to Question 140867 on fire regulations, whether the previously-set business impact target still applies when setting regulations.

Andrew Griffiths: The Business Impact Target for the 2015-2017 Parliament does not still apply to regulations that come into force during the current Parliament. The Government is currently considering its approach to setting the scope for the Business Impact Target for the current Parliament.

Holidays: Families

Neil Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether the Government takes steps to measure the positive effect that holidays can play in family life.

Andrew Griffiths: The Government agrees that holidays can play an important and beneficial role in family life.

Mark Group

Helen Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what information his Department holds on the number of people who had work that they consider defective completed by the Mark Group under the Green Deal.

Helen Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that people who had work that they consider defective undertaken in their homes by the Mark Group under the Green Deal are (a) compensated and (b) able to remedy the resulting problems.

Claire Perry: The Department has no records of cases of people who had work that they consider defective completed by the Mark Group funded by Green Deal finance. There is a process in place for complaints under the Green Deal. A consumer should in the first instance complain to their Green Deal Provider, who may be a different company from the one that completed the installation. If not resolved satisfactorily, the consumer may then approach the Green Deal Ombudsman or the Financial Ombudsman Service, depending on the nature of the complaint. Their decisions will be binding on the Green Deal Provider. The Mark Group was dissolved in 2015. The Green Deal Code of Practice – with which all Green Deal Providers are required to comply – requires the provision of a guarantee covering the functioning of installations, and that guarantees must be backed by insurance so that in the event a Provider ceases to exist, consumers are still protected against faults in their installations. In cases where there are faults with installations and customers have no recourse to Providers, consumers should refer to the relevant insurance policies.

Directors: Codes of Practice

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what the timetable is for the Financial Reporting Council to (a) complete its review and (b) publish an updated version of the UK Corporate Governance Code.

Andrew Griffiths: In February 2017, the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) announced plans for a comprehensive review of the UK Corporate Governance Code, and delivery of this review implements part of the Government’s wider Corporate Governance Reform package announced in August 2017. The FRC’s public consultation closed on 28 February 2018. Responses are being considered and the FRC is on track to publish an updated Code with supporting guidance in July 2018.

Social Services: Minimum Wage

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will take steps to improve the advice for care workers on gov.uk to help them check employers' compliance with minimum wage obligations.

Andrew Griffiths: The Government is committed to helping workers understand their employment rights, and their entitlement to the National Minimum Wage. This year we supplemented the gov.uk website with a ‘Check Your Pay’ campaign for workers: available at checkyourpay.campaign.gov.uk. The Government has also legislated to require employers to provide clearer information to workers in their regular payslips. Workers can also call the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas) Helpline (on 0300 123 1100) for information and guidance about the National Minimum Wage or visit their website (www.acas.org.uk).

City Deals: Tayside

Luke Graham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what his Department's policy is on the inclusion of support for the aerospace sector in the Tay Cities Deal.

Richard Harrington: Government is working with the Tay Cities region to fulfil the commitment we made in the 2016 Budget to agree a City Deal with the local area. In line with the national Industrial Strategy, we are keen that City Deals build on local strengths and support key sectors, and the UK Government will consider supporting any local proposals in our reserved policy space that support these aims. All proposals will need to have the support of key stakeholders and will need to show that they use public money effectively to drive growth and productivity.

Hitachi

Lloyd Russell-Moyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what discussions his Department has had with representatives of Hitachi on the funding of any new nuclear power projects in the UK.

Richard Harrington: The Government remains committed to decarbonising our economy and last September we published our Clean Growth Strategy which set out a range of actions Government is taking. New nuclear has a crucial role to play as we seek to transition to a low carbon society. The Government regularly engages with developers in the UK including Hitachi regarding the construction of a new nuclear power station. These commercial discussions are ongoing and no final decisions have been made. These discussions are commercially sensitive.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Najah Ahmed Yousif

Mr Roger Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make representations to the Government of Bahrain on reports of sexual abuse and torture and on the imprisonment of female political activist Najah Ahmed Yousif for her social media activity against Bahrain Grand Prix; and if he will make a statement.

Alistair Burt: The UK has a continuing dialogue with the Government of Bahrain in which we raise individual cases. Our Embassy in Bahrain monitors this specific case. The UK encourages those with concerns about treatment in detention to report these to the relevant human rights oversight bodies. We urge these bodies to carry out swift and thorough investigations. The UK encourages the Government of Bahrain to deliver on its international and domestic human rights commitments.

Iran: Diplomatic Service

Ann Clwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what information he has received from the Iranian Government on consular cases involving British nationals and residents which have arisen in Iran since March 2018.

Alistair Burt: I raised all our dual national cases with Deputy Foreign Minister Araghchi when I visited Tehran on 29 April. However, we will not be providing a running commentary. We judge this will not be helpful, or in the best interest of each case. We will continue to take action in line with what we believe will produce the best outcomes in their cases.

Iran: Foreign Relations

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent steps the Government has taken to improve UK relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Alistair Burt: In recent years the UK has gradually re-established its relations with Iran, reopening the British Embassy in Tehran in 2015 and upgrading to Ambassador-level representation in 2016. Since then we there have been developments in a variety of areas ranging from establishing a UK visa service in Tehran to supporting UK-Iranian trade links. Ministers have also established a regular dialogue which supports engagement on a wide range of challenging issues, including nuclear and regional matters. We committed to upholding the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action as long as Iran continues to fulfil its commitments under it.

Saudi Arabia: LGBT People

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent representations his Department has made to the Government of Saudi Arabia on the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in that country.

Alistair Burt: Saudi Arabia remains a Foreign and Commonwealth Office human rights priority country. Ministers regularly discuss our concerns on a range of human rights issues with the Saudi Arabian Government.

Burma: Christianity

Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make representations to the Government of Myanmar on recent attacks on Christians in Kachin in that country.

Mark Field: The British Ambassador raised the UK's concerns about the treatment of civilians in Kachin State during the current military offensive in his meeting with the Commander in Chief of Burma's military on 3 May.In a statement published on gov.uk on 11 May the Minister of State for Asia and the Pacific expressed concern about the latest military offensive in Kachin and called on the Burmese military to fulfil its duty to respect international humanitarian law, ensure access for humanitarian organisations and allow the 2000 civilians trapped by the fighting to leave to safe areas. He called on all parties to the conflict to cease fighting, protect civilians, and return fully to peace talks.

Israel: Gaza

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether his Department has had discussions with its Israeli counterpart on the use by the Israeli military of expanding bullets in the Gaza Strip between February 2018 and May 2018; and if he will make a statement.

Alistair Burt: ​Whilst we have not raised this specific issue, the use of live fire is deeply troubling and has led to significant loss of life. I raised concerns about the use of live ammunition against protestors in Gaza with my Israeli counterpart on 13 May. The Minister for Human Rights, also raised this issue with the Israeli government during his visit to Israel on 11 April. As I said in my statement of 14 May we continue to implore Israel to show greater restraint.

Department of Health and Social Care

Alcoholic Drinks: Misuse

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how much money from the public purse has been spent by the NHS on treating injuries or conditions relating to alcohol use in each of the last two years.

Steve Brine: Data on National Health Service spending on alcohol related injuries or conditions are not available in the format requested. However, the costs to the NHS in England associated with alcohol misuse are estimated at £3.5 billion each year.

Doctors' List of Patients

Justin Madders: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many patients have been removed from GP lists as a result of alleged violent, threatening or abusive behaviour in each of the last ten years for which figures are available.

Justin Madders: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many patients have been removed from GP lists on the grounds that the relationship between patient and GP has broken down in each of the last ten years for which figures are available.

Steve Brine: The following table presents the number of patients that have been removed from the general practitioner (GP) practice lists as a result of: - Alleged violent, threatening or abusive behaviour (leading to an immediate removal); and- On the grounds that the relationship between the patient and the GP has broken down (leading to an 8-day removal). ​YearImmediate Removals​8 Day Removals ​2016​​1,2529,262 ​​20172,055​9,869 ​​2018614​3,445 ​ Note: 2016 includes data from April to December 2016. Historical information prior to April 2016 was not collected or held centrally.

Breast Cancer: Screening

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will publish details of which NHS Trusts have raised concerns with his Department on the breast cancer screening programme since 2010.

Steve Brine: Holding answer received on 14 May 2018



Public Health England and NHS England are not currently aware of any formal complaints raised with the programme in relation to screening appointments not being sent out from National Health Service trusts since 2013. Any potential concerns about the Breast Screening Programme that should have been heeded earlier will be considered as part of the independent review that the Secretary of State has commissioned. Records prior to 2013 are not centrally held.

Clinical Commissioning Groups

Justin Madders: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what estimate he has made of the average length of time taken by clinical commissioning groups to respond to complaints in each of the last three years.

Steve Brine: NHS England has advised that these data are not collected centrally and is a matter for each clinical commissioning group locally. NHS England further advises that the National Health Service complaints regulations do not impose timescales for responding to complaints. It is expected that the time allocated to investigate and respond to a complaint should be proportionate to its complexity however it is expected that a response should be received within six months of the date the complaint was received unless agreement for a longer period is received from the complainant.

Clinical Commissioning Groups

Justin Madders: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the average length of time taken by clinical commissioning groups in each of the last three years to deal with individual funding requests is.

Steve Brine: NHS England has advised that it does not collect information on the average length of time taken by clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) to deal with individual funding requests (IFRs). IFRs are the responsibility of individual CCGs for the majority of NHS services. NHS England is also responsible for some IFRs, for example, for specialised services. Further general information about NHS England’s policy on IFRs can be found at the following link: https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/comm-policy-indivdual-funding-requests.pdf In relation to IFRs, the document states that, for NHS England directed IFRs: “The standard period for providing a decision on a funding request is a maximum period of 30 working days from the date of the receipt of a fully completed IFR form to the date the requesting clinician is informed of the outcome (inclusive).”

Postnatal Care

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to take steps to rectify the omission from the General Medical Services contract of maternal postnatal checks.

Steve Brine: The General Medical Service contract sets out that where a general practitioner practice provides maternity medical services, the practice is required to provide to female patients and their babies all necessary maternity medical services throughout the postnatal period other than neonatal checks. Maternity medical services is defined as:- In relation to female patients (other than babies) all primary medical services relating to pregnancy, excluding intra partum care; and- In relation to babies, any primary medical services necessary in their first 14 days of life.

Breast Cancer: Screening

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what estimate he has made of the number of women in Warrington who have been affected by the errors in the breast cancer screening programme.

Steve Brine: Data on the number of women affected will be published by the end of May.

Malnutrition

Andrea Jenkyns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps the Government is taking to ensure that hospital trusts record cases of malnutrition.

Andrea Jenkyns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps the Government is taking to ensure that malnutrition is (a) screened for effectively and (b) recorded accurately in all healthcare settings.

Andrea Jenkyns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment the Government has made of the effectiveness of NICE clinical guideline CG32 on nutritional support for adults to tackle malnutrition.

Steve Brine: The Government does not undertake reviews of the effectiveness of National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines. NICE is an independent body and has processes in place to review and update its guidelines as necessary. NICE is responsible for publishing clinical guidelines for the National Health Service. ‘Nutrition support for adults: oral feeding, enteral tube feeding and parenteral nutrition’ (NICE Clinical Guideline 32) provides advice to the NHS to help identify patients who are malnourished or at risk of malnutrition, and was most recently reviewed by NICE in July 2017. Further information is available at the following link: https://www.nice.org.uk/Guidance/cg32 In addition, NHS England published guidance for NHS commissioners in 2015 on improving the delivery and commissioning of nutrition and hydration care in acute services and the community. Further information is available at the following link: https://www.england.nhs.uk/2015/10/guidance-nutritional-care/ Building on this guidance, further steps have been taken to support screening and recording of malnutrition in hospitals and other healthcare settings. A 'Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool' has been developed by the Malnutrition Advisory Group. The tool is supported by governmental and non-governmental organisations, such as the Royal College of Nursing, and is the most commonly used screening tool in the United Kingdom. Further information is available at the following link: http://www.malnutritionselfscreening.org/self-screening.html The Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 set out the fundamental standards of care, which must be met by all providers of health and adult social care. Regulation 14 of that Act relates specifically to meeting nutritional and hydration needs. During inspections of health and adult social care services, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) asks five key questions of all care services: are they safe, are they effective, are they caring, are they responsive to people’s needs and are they well-led? Under the Effective key question, the CQC seeks to understand how services support people to ensure that they eat and drink enough to maintain a balanced diet. If a malnourished patient presents at hospital, the CQC would expect a hospital trust to record it as a primary or secondary diagnosis in the Hospital Episode Statistics database and a safeguarding alert to be made, as well as a referral to a dietician.

Nutrition

Sir David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has estimated the potential savings to the public purse annually from providing patients with timely nutritional care; and if he will make a statement.

Sir David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps the Government is taking to reduce the number of deaths associated with malnutrition.

Steve Brine: No estimate has been made centrally of the potential annual savings to the public purse from providing patients with timely nutritional care. The Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 cover the fundamental standards below which care must not fall, including meeting the nutritional and hydration needs of users. The regulations, which are considered during Care Quality Commission inspections, specify that people who use services must have their nutritional needs assessed and mean that the risk of malnutrition and dehydration while they receive care and treatment is reduced. To help tackle malnutrition in acute and community settings, NHS England published guidance on ‘Commissioning excellent nutrition and hydration’ in October 2015. The implementation of this guidance is a matter for the local National Health Service. The guidance is available at: https://www.england.nhs.uk/commissioning/nut-hyd/

Colorectal Cancer

Dr David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will take steps to develop a national commissioning policy to reduce local disparities in the testing for Lynch syndrome.

Steve Brine: The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published diagnostics guidance on the role of testing for Lynch syndrome in people with colorectal cancer in February 2017. NICE’s guidance recommends how healthcare professionals should care for people with this condition. It is therefore for the clinician to take this information into account (alongside individual circumstances and medical history) when determining the best course of action for the patient and application may vary depending on the individual case. There is no requirement to fund treatments recommended in NICE’s diagnostics guidance and commissioners (clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) and NHS England) need to consider implementation of the guidance alongside other priorities and any financial impact on pathology services and genetic testing services. NHS England will be working with CCG pathology service commissioners to determine whether they can jointly develop a policy proposition relating to genetic testing and the NICE guidance on testing for Lynch syndrome. NHS England will be considering this issue as part of the relevant work programmes during 2018/19.

Clinical Priorities Advisory Group

Mark Tami: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 4 April 2018 to Question 134482 on Clinical Priorities Advisory Group, what budget forecasting assumptions were used to determine that £25m per year would be an appropriate level of investment for funding products through the relative prioritisation process.

Mark Tami: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 4 April 2018 to Question 134482 on Clinical Priorities Advisory Group, on what basis £25m per year is assumed to be an appropriate level of funding when actual spending is not separately monitored.

Mark Tami: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 4 April 2018 to Question 134482 on Clinical Priorities Advisory Group, what plans NHS England has to review the budget available for products undergoing review by the relative prioritisation process to take account of (a) inflation and (b) any forecasted increase in clinical demand for new products.

Steve Brine: The budget available for discretionary investment in new drugs and treatments not considered by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is determined annually and is set in the context of the overall affordability challenges facing the specialised commissioning portfolio. This assessment factors in pressures arising from demographic growth, the legal requirement to fund all NICE approved treatments and other delivery priorities set by the Government via the Mandate to NHS England. In 2016/17 and again in 2017/18, £25 million of additional investment was set aside to support the specialised commissioning relative prioritisation process. This was assessed as being an appropriate and affordable level of spend in the context of NHS England’s Specialised Commissioning function having to achieve overall efficiency savings of approximately 2.7% in 2016/17 and 2.5% in 2017/18. Detailed activity and associated costing forecasts are undertaken for all treatments that go through the relative prioritisation process and these take into account any anticipated changes in patient demand, or changes in the clinical or treatment pathway. The assumptions that underpin these forecasts are developed in collaboration with expert clinicians, public health specialists, patient and carer representatives, and industry partners and are tested through stakeholder engagement and formal public consultation before activity and cost estimates are completed for the prioritisation process. In 2018/19 NHS England will be piloting a new assurance process to assess whether new treatments that are prioritised for funding are being equitably provided to patients across England and to test actual costs against estimates developed as part of the prioritisation process.

NHS: Drugs

Mark Tami: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what estimate he has made of the proportion of NHS England's specialised commissioning budget for medicines which is committed to products approved through the relative prioritisation process.

Steve Brine: NHS England has advised that it does not hold a separate specialised budget for medicines. Spend is not monitored once the drugs have been through the prioritisation process.

Breast Cancer: Screening

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to increase the number of screenings for breast cancer.

Steve Brine: The National Health Service Breast Screening Programme in England offers all women between the ages of 50 and 70 the opportunity to be screened every three years for breast cancer, in order to help detect abnormalities and reduce the number of lives lost to invasive breast cancer. In addition to this the Breast Screening Programme is working on:- Producing information on coverage to help increase screening uptake and reduce inequalities;- Producing an online web tool to give advice to services, commissioners and stakeholders to give best advice on improving uptake - both practical advice and research evidence; and- Publishing an easy read version of the screening leaflet to help provide informed choice for members of the public who prefer a pictorial representation, have lower literacy, or have English as a second language. Services undertake activities to improve uptake locally, such as visits to mosques, temples, churches, radio and press reviews, and trade stands.

Department of Health and Social Care: Land

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how much land his Department has released for the building new homes since May 2010.

Stephen Barclay: Published data shows that National Health Service trusts, foundation trusts and the Department of Health and Social Care, including its arm’s length bodies and wholly owned property companies, released land with capacity for 15,185 homes from May 2010 to March 2015 and 3,516 homes from May 2015 to September 2016. This data is available at the following links:https://www.nao.org.uk/report/disposal-of-public-land-for-new-homes/https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/public-land-for-housing-programme-2015-to-2020-annual-reportThe Ministry for Housing Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) is responsible for the cross-government Public Land for Housing Programme, which aims to release land with capacity for at least 160,000 homes in England from the central government estate by 31 March 2020. MHCLG are now monitoring the progress of sites sold through both the 2011/15 and 2015/20 Public Land for Housing Programmes, in order to estimate the number of homes under construction and completed.

Drugs: Misuse

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to reduce the level of substance abuse by teenagers.

Steve Brine: Local authorities are responsible for assessing local need for alcohol and drug prevention and treatment in their area, and commissioning services to meet these needs. Public Health England (PHE) works with local authorities providing guidance tools, data and expertise to help them assess and plan young people’s alcohol and drug prevention and treatment. As part of the Government’s Drug Strategy, PHE is supporting programmes which have a positive impact on young people, giving them the confidence, resilience and risk management skills to resist drug use. This includes supporting schools and educators by expanding the Alcohol and Drugs Education and Prevention Information Service, which provides practical advice and tools. PHE also commissions the ‘Rise Above’ digital hub which uses interactive content to help build young people’s resilience and empowers them to make positive, healthy choices. FRANK continues to provide important factual advice on the risks and effects of drugs.

Alcoholic Drinks: Misuse

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps the Government is taking to provide (a) support and (b) assistance to the families of chronic alcoholics.

Steve Brine: Support and advice for families of chronic alcoholics takes place at a local treatment level. Public Health England produces guidance and data, for each local authority to support planning and commissioning of alcohol interventions. This guidance includes good practice for local authority and National Health Service joint planning of secondary care alcohol specialist provision as part of their wider integrated system of alcohol interventions. Further information is available at: www.gov.uk/government/publications/alcohol-drugs-and-tobacco-commissioning-support-pack This commissioning support pack helps commissioners and local authorities develop joint strategic needs assessment and health and wellbeing strategies to reduce the harm caused by smoking, drinking, substance use and misuse in both adults and children. Additionally on 23 April the Government announced a package of measures designed to help identify at-risk children more quickly, and provide greater access to support and advice for both children and parents. The programme, backed by £6 million in joint funding from the Department of Health and Social Care and the Department for Work and Pensions, is designed to help an estimated 200,000 children in England living with alcohol-dependent parents and develop interventions to reduce parental conflict within those families.

Department of Health and Social Care: Empty Property

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how much his (a) Department and (b) Department's non-departmental public bodies has spent on vacant properties since May 2010.

Caroline Dinenage: The amount spent on the vacant properties of the Department and its non-Departmental bodies since May 2010 is shown in the following table:BodyAmountNHS EnglandNilNHS Improvement (formerly Monitor and NHS Trust Development Authority)NilCare Quality CommissionNilNational Institute for Health and Care ExcellenceNilNHS Digital (formerly Health and Social Care Information Centre)NilHuman Fertilisation and Embryology AuthorityNilHuman Tissue AuthorityNilHealth Education EnglandNilHealth Research AuthorityNilDepartment of Health and Social Care - Estate occupied and used for business purposes - ‘Retained Estate’: property retained in the ownership of Secretary of State for Health following the establishment of National Health Service trustsNil - £607,525 (this figure is for 2017/18 financial year – figures for prior years can only be provided at disproportionate cost)

Sunderland and Gateshead Community Acquired Brain Injury Service

Mrs Sharon Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the effect of the closure of the Community Acquired Brain Injury Service on patients in (a) Sunderland and (b) Gateshead.

Steve Brine: NHS Sunderland Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) as lead commissioner, and Newcastle Gateshead CCG as associate to the contract, have recently conducted a full service review to identify areas for improvement and ensure sustainability for the future. The review was completed in consultation with the current provider, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust (NTW). The current contract for the service is due to expire on 30 June 2018, following this the CCG expects to retain a contract with NTW from 1 July 2018 which will continue to provide services for patients with severe head injuries, the group for whom the service was originally established. Patients who have a minor or mild head injury will be treated in more suitable local community services. Commissioners intend to review these services over the coming months, and look forward to engaging with patients and other stakeholders as part of this work.

Psychology: Recruitment

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to improve the recruitment of psychologists qualified to treat young people with mental health difficulties.

Jackie Doyle-Price: Stepping Forward to 2020/21 – Health Education England’s Workforce Plan, published in July 2017 set out plans to create 21,000 posts in the mental health workforce. The plan envisages 4,000 new Allied Health, Professional and Scientific, Therapeutic and Technical Staff (including clinical psychologists) joining the mental health workforce over the same period.

Health Services: Finance

Dr Paul Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 2 May 2016 to Question 139056 on Health Services: Finance, how much and what proportion of the £1.6 billion announced in Autumn Budget 2017 for allocation in 2018-19 has been used to commission services by (a) NHS Trusts and (b) independent healthcare providers.

Stephen Barclay: In addition to the announcement in the autumn budget of an extra £1.6 billion of funding for the National Health Service, the Department added a further £540 million to bring the total to £2.14 billion which was allocated to the NHS as follows:- £650 million is added to the Provider Sustainability Fund (previously the Sustainability and Transformation Fund) and so will be paid directly to NHS providers; and- £1.49 billion has been allocated to NHS commissioners, predominantly for the purchase of secondary care activity and mental health services. Commissioners are required to detail the total amount of planned expenditure for a given year but are not required to separately account for how the increase in the allocation from the previous year has been allocated, so it is not possible to identify how much of the additional money has been allocated to independent sector providers.

Mental Health Services

Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 17 January 2018 to Question 123474, what the timetable is for the publication of the mental health pathways for crisis care, perinatal mental health, children and young people's mental health and acute mental health; and if he will make a statement.

Jackie Doyle-Price: The mental health pathways are intended to provide clear guidance to both commissioners and providers in relation to the commissioning and implementation of services to improve access and outcomes for people with mental health problems. The perinatal pathway was published on 8 May 2018 and can be found at the following link: https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/the-perinatal-mental-health-care-pathways/ Pathways for crisis care, children and young people’s mental health and acute mental health are being reviewed ahead of publication to ensure alignment with the wider Five Year Forward View for Mental Health strategy, as well as the outcomes of the consultation on the Green Paper on Transforming Children and Young People’s Mental Health Provision. This review is necessary to ensure the pathways provide the most helpful guidance to both commissioners and providers.

Prisoners: Mental Illness

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to ensure the efficient and timely transfer of prisoners to hospitals under the Mental Health Act 1983; and how many prisoners have waited for more than 14 days for such a transfer in each of the last three years.

Jackie Doyle-Price: NHS England is working with partners across the criminal justice system to improve services for offenders with mental ill health and have developed a comprehensive 10 point plan which clearly sets out the work underway to improve the pathway to and from prison to appropriate in-patient mental health care services. This will set out actions to improve the timely transfer and remission of patients, including how this will be implemented and sustained. Information on how many prisoners have waited for more than 14 days for a transfer to hospital under the Mental Health Act 1983 in each of the last three years is not available in the format requested. Information is collected on the number of transfers, not the number of individual prisoners who are transferred. An individual prisoner may undergo more than one transfer in any given time period.

Compulsorily Detained Mental Patients

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many and what proportion of in-patients in mental health units have been sectioned under the Mental Health Act 1983 in each of the last three years.

Jackie Doyle-Price: The information requested is only available for 2016-17. 37,367 people were detained under the Mental Health Act in 2016-17. There were 101,589 people admitted to mental health units in 2016-17. The proportion of these inpatients who were detained under the Mental Health Act in 2016-17 was 36.8%. Source: Mental Health Services Dataset, MHA Acute, NHS Digital.

Mental Illness

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of staffing levels at places of safety under the Mental Health Act 1983 in England in each of the last 5 years.

Jackie Doyle-Price: The Care Quality Commission, in its role as the independent regulator of health and adult social care in England, monitors and inspects mental health services to see whether they are safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led. In its inspections of mental health providers, it considers staffing levels as part of the focus on safety.

Death Certificates

Grahame Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions he has had with the Home Secretary on the timetable for the introduction of the additional qualified informants for Death Certification provided for in the Coroners and Justice Act 2009.

Caroline Dinenage: My Rt. hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has regular discussions with Cabinet colleagues on a range of subjects. The Government has consulted on proposals for the introduction of Medical Examiners and reforms to death certification in England and Wales, and plans to publish its response to the consultation shortly.

Mental Health Services: Training

Barbara Keeley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what estimate his Department has made of the cost to Clinical Commissioning Groups of providing salary support for Improving Access to Psychological Therapies trainees in (a) 2018-19, (b) 2019-20 and (c) 2020-21.

Jackie Doyle-Price: While Health Education England recommends salaries for Psychological Wellness Practitioner and High Intensity trainees, the decisions on salary support are made locally by clinical commissioning groups.

Mental Health Services

Barbara Keeley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the Five Year Forward View, published in October 2014, what steps he is taking to ensure Clinical Commissioning Groups meet the expansion plans for national Improving Access to Psychological Therapies.

Jackie Doyle-Price: For people living with depression, anxiety or other common mental health conditions, talking to a mental health profession can be a real lifeline and help them to manage their conditions. That is why the Government and NHS England have committed to Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) to reach 25% (1.5 million) of people with common mental health conditions by 2020/21. The NHS Planning Guidance sets out clear expectations for clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) to meet the IAPT expansion targets outlined in the Five Year Forward View for Mental Health as part of annual planning and all CCGs have had to submit their expected trajectories towards those targets. The NHS Planning Guidance is available at the following link: https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/planning-guidance-18-19.pdf Assurance of delivery is gained from regional scrutiny of CCG plans against core IAPT standards. Quarterly deep-dives with regions and the national Senior Responsible Owner are used to inform our shared view of progress and support implementation. This process also helps to identify concerns and enables NHS England to understand where support is needed from the national team, and support plans to mitigate any emerging risks for the region. Additional funding has also been built into CCG 2018/19 baseline allocations to support the expansion of services outlined in the planning guidance and the specific trajectories set for 2018/19.

Mental Health Services: Training

Barbara Keeley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans he has to allocate funding for the training of (a) clinical psychologists and (b) child and adolescent psychotherapists after September 2019.

Jackie Doyle-Price: Health Education England currently commissions training for clinical psychologists and child and adolescent psychotherapists. My Rt. hon. Friend the Prime Minister has announced her intention to come forward with a long-term plan for the National Health Service, supported by a multi-year financial settlement. The Government will work with NHS leaders, clinicians and experts to develop this long-term plan later this year, in advance of the Spending Review. Future arrangements for the funding of training for healthcare professionals, including clinical psychologists and child and adolescent psychotherapists, will be considered as part of this.

Psychology

Barbara Keeley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the targets set in the Five Year Forward View, published in October 2014, and Health Education England’s Stepping forward to 2020-21: The mental health workforce plan for England, published in July 2017, how many additional psychological therapists are working in Improving Access to Psychological Therapies services as of May 2018 compared to September 2016.

Jackie Doyle-Price: Information is not currently available in the format requested. The latest workforce data published by NHS Digital is for January 2018. This can be found at the following link: https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/nhs-workforce-statistics/nhs-workforce-statistics---january-2018#Summary However, the specific level of detail relating to this aspect of the National Health Service workforce is not currently available. The most recent Improving Access to Psychological Therapies census for 2015 can be found at the following link: https://www.england.nhs.uk/mentalhealth/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2016/09/adult-iapt-workforce-census-report-15.pdf

NHS: Migrant Workers

Jo Stevens: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether the Department has made an assessment of the effect of the NHS surcharge for non-EEA migrants on the recruitment and retention of non-EEA NHS staff.

Jo Stevens: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department will make an estimate the cost of a waiver on the NHS surcharge for non-EEA citizens working in the NHS.

Stephen Barclay: The Department has not made an assessment of the effect of the National Health Service surcharge for non-European Economic Area (EEA) migrants on the recruitment and retention of non-EEA NHS staff and we have no current plans to make an estimate of the cost of a waiver on the NHS surcharge for non-EEA citizens working in the NHS. Whilst the Government fully recognises the contribution that international professionals make to the United Kingdom and to our health service, it is only right that people who come to the UK for more than six months should contribute to the running of the NHS.

Sustainability and Transformation Partnerships: South East

Sir Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 14 May 2018 to Question 142304 on Sustainability and Transformation Partnerships: South East, what sanctions are available to him for late delivery in the Sustainability and Transformation Partnership.

Stephen Barclay: The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care does not have sanctions available for the late delivery of sustainability and transformation partnership (STPs).Local health and care organisations remain accountable for their individual organisational plans, which forms part of their STP.It is important that local people, local organisations, and the STP themselves, can see how their local footprint is performing comparatively in delivering transformation and improving patient care. That is why we have published an STP Dashboard that makes this assessment.The Dashboard will further accountability, and can be used as a mechanism to drive improvement. NHS England intends to update the dashboard annually to enable progress to be tracked. The dashboard is available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/sustainability-and-transformation-partnerships-progress-dashboard-baseline-view/

Prescriptions: Universal Credit

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many claimants of universal credit who ticked  the box income-based JSA on their free prescription forms were subsequently accused of attempting to defraud the National Health Service.

Steve Brine: The NHS Business Services Authority has not issued any Penalty Charge Notices to claimants of Universal Credit who meet the criteria for help with their health costs and who ticked the income-based Job Seekers Allowance box on their prescription form.

Social Services

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that the quality of social care provision is not being affected by increase in demand.

Caroline Dinenage: The number of people receiving care commissioned by local authorities has remained broadly flat in the past three years, with 656,510 receiving support in 2014/15 compared to 654,765 in 2016/17. 81% of adult social care providers are rated as good or outstanding by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) (as at May 2018), nonetheless it is completely unacceptable that standards in some settings fall below those rightly expected by care users and their families. That is why the Care Act 2014 placed a new duty on councils to offer a meaningful choice of services, so that people have a range of high quality, appropriate care options to choose from and that they get the services that best meet their needs. The Government introduced tougher inspections, led by the CQC, to make sure that services meet quality and safety standards. The Department is working with the adult social care sector to implement Quality Matters – a shared commitment to take action to achieve high quality adult social care for service users, families, carers and everyone working in the sector. This summer we will publish plans to reform our social care system to make it sustainable for the future. The consultation will set out options to put the social care system on a more secure footing and address issues to improve the quality of care and reduce variation in practice.

Social Services

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to change the social care budget in line with changing levels of demand for services.

Caroline Dinenage: The Government has already invested funding to put social care on a more stable footing and alleviate short-term pressures across the health and care system. However, further reform is required to ensure that the system is prepared to meet the challenges of an ageing society. This is why the Government has set out plans to publish a Green Paper by summer 2018 presenting its proposals for reform. The Green Paper will consider the fundamental issues facing the care system, including the future sustainability of the market, capacity planning and market shaping responsibilities. In total, we have given councils access to £9.4 billion more dedicated funding for social care over the three years from 2017/18, including the recent Local Government Finance settlement announcement of a further £150 million for social care.

Thyroid Diseases

Sir Vince Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many diagnoses of (a) hypothyroidism and (b) hyperthyroidism were made in each of the last three years.

Steve Brine: This information is not collected.

Prescriptions: Fees and Charges

Sir Vince Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many medical exemption certificates were issued under regulation 10 of the National Health Service (Charges for Drugs and Appliances) Regulations 2015 in each of the last three years in relation to (a) myxoedema and (b) other conditions.

Steve Brine: The following table shows the number of medical exemption certificates issued under regulation 10 of the National Health Service (Charges for Drugs and Appliances) Regulations 2015 in each of the last three years.Medical ConditionNumber of medical exemption certificates issued (by year)2015/162016/172017/18A permanent fistula (for example caecostomy, colostomy, laryngostomy or ileostomy) requiring continuous surgical dressing or requiring an appliance9,3549,60810,195Epilepsy requiring continuous anti-convulsive therapy37,54636,56838,785Diabetes mellitus – except where treatment is by diet alone174,982177,075180,119Myxoedema143,475149,028147,273Hypoparathyroidism22,45223,85223,756Diabetes insipidus or other forms of hypopituitarism5,7716,2446,321Forms of hypoadrenalism (including Addison’s disease) for which specific substitution therapy is essential1,8231,8471,928Myasthenia gravis757771799A continuing physical disability which prevents the person from leaving the person’s residence without the help of another person13,70714,09016,285Undergoing treatment for cancer, including effects of cancer or the effects of cancer treatment53,58956,12756,116

Thyroid Diseases: Drugs

Sir Vince Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how much the NHS has spent on (a) T4 and (b) T3 in each of the last three years.

Sir Vince Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential to reduce the cost to the NHS of treating hypothyroidism by procuring relevant medicines from (a) from licensed providers other than Concordia and (b) appropriately accredited overseas providers.

Steve Brine: The Net Ingredient Cost (NIC) of levothyroxine and liothryonine dispensed in England in each of the last three years is provided in the following table. NIC1 of prescription items dispensed in the community in EnglandBritish National Formulary Chemical Name201520162017Levothyroxine Sodium£104,482,222£97,074,190£86,942,415Levothyroxine Sodium and Liothyronine£665,394£1,000,049£1,270,675Liothyronine Sodium£22,188,778£32,804,312£30,237,512Total£127,336,394£130,878,552£118,450,601Source: Prescription Cost Analysis Note: 1NIC is based on the price listed in the Drug Tariff. It does not take into account for example any discounts and therefore the price the National Health Service paid will be different. Both levothyroxine and liothyronine are unbranded generic medicines. For unbranded generic medicines, the Department encourages competition between suppliers to keep prices down. In primary care, community pharmacies are incentivised to source products at the lowest possible cost and in secondary care, competitive tenders ensure value-for-money to the NHS. Liothyronine is currently the subject of an investigation by the Competition and Markets Authority, which has provisionally found that the single supplier of the product abused its dominant position to overcharge the NHS by millions of pounds for liothyronine tablets. A provisional decision does not necessarily lead to an infringement decision. Where companies have breached competition law, the Department will seek damages and invest that money back into the NHS. Until recently, only one marketing authorisation had been granted for liothyronine. However, there are now multiple marketing authorisations for liothyronine and as a consequence of this increased competition it is expected that prices will go down. Any medicine authorised in another European Union Member State can be imported into the United Kingdom, as long as the imported product has no therapeutic difference from the same UK product. The importer must hold a Wholesale Dealers Authorisation and a parallel import licence for the product from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). The criteria of the simplified parallel import scheme include the requirement that the UK and imported products have a ‘common origin’. In practice this usually means that they are authorised to the same company or to related companies. Medicines unlicensed in the UK may be imported by importers holding an appropriate Wholesale Dealers Authorisation or Manufacturer’s “Specials” Licence and who notify the MHRA. Unlicensed medicines may only be imported to meet the special clinical needs of individual patients where there is no suitable licensed medicine available. Only clinical needs are admissible, not reasons of cost or other non-clinical considerations.

Department for Health and Social Care: Damages

Sir Vince Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what damages his Department has sought against companies which have breached competition law in each of the last eight years.

Caroline Dinenage: The Department has progressed two competition law based cases. Both were issued in the High Court in 2011 and sought damages of £89 million and £220 million respectively.

Clinical Commissioning Groups

Ms Karen Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what has been the (a) cash and (b) real terms allocation to each English clinical commissioning group for (i) 2012-13, (ii) 2013-14, (iii) 2014-15, (iv) 2015-16, (v) 2016-17 and (vi) 2018-19.

Ms Karen Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will rank English clinical commissioning groups by the proportion difference between their actual and target allocations.

Ms Karen Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will rank English clinical commissioning groups by the porportion change in the real term allocation per capita since 2012-13.

Stephen Barclay: NHS England is responsible for determining allocations of financial resources to clinical commissioning groups (CCGs). Total annual budgets given to CCGs cover the majority of NHS spending. NHS England has published sources of information on CCG allocations for the years 2013/2014 onwards. However, information in relation to 2012/13 is not available as CCGs were not formed until 2013.Information on the cash allocation to each clinical commissioning group since 2013/14 is shown in the following links:- CCG allocations 2013/14 to 2014/15 https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/ccg-allocation-big-table-v2.pdf - CCG allocations 2015/16 – 2017/18 https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/ccg-allocations.pdf - Revised CCG allocations 2018-19 https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/revised-ccg-allocations-2018-19/ The proportionate differences between CCG programme allocations and their target allocations are available in ‘Revised CCG Allocations for 2018-19’, on column 13 of the table which is available at the following link:www.england.nhs.uk/publication/revised-CCG-allocations-2018-19/It should be noted that these figures do not include allocations for primary medical care or specialised services. The figures are as published, and may not reflect any adjustments that have occurred since the time of publication. Further, allocations for 2017/18 are not comparable with those of earlier years as a number of changes have been made to CCG baselines.NHS England has advised that information relating to proportionate changes in the real term CCG allocations per capita since 2012/13 is not available in the format requested.

Attorney General

Attorney General: Official Cars

Philip Davies: To ask the Attorney General, what the job titles are of civil servants in his Department who have been provided with (a) an official car and (b) a driver.

Robert Buckland: ​No civil servant in the Attorney General’s Office (AGO), Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), Government Legal Department (GLD), Serious Fraud Office (SFO) or Her Majesty's Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate (HMCPSI) has been allocated an official car or a driver.

Department for Exiting the European Union

Department for Exiting the European Union: Apprentices

Jack Lopresti: To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, what levels of apprenticeships are offered by his Department; and how many apprenticeship starts there were at each level in each of the last three years.

Mr Steve Baker: The Department for Exiting the European Union (DExEU) offers Level 3 and Level 4 Apprenticeships. In total, DExEU has had 19 Level 4 Apprentices start through the Civil Service Fast Track Apprenticeship Programme; and two Level 3 Apprentices. From the time DExEU was formed this equates to four starts in 2016, and 17 in 2017, of which: 2016: Four Level 4 Apprentices2017: 15 Level 4 Apprentices and 2 Level 3 Apprentices. Through apprenticeships, the Civil Service aims to enhance diversity and improve social mobility; strengthen the skills base of our current and prospective workforce; and provide high quality learning opportunities that are embedded into workforce planning and professional career paths.

Legal Profession

Alex Sobel: To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, what discussions he has had with his European counterparts on UK lawyers being able to practice in the EU after the UK leaves the EU.

Mr Robin Walker: Ministers and senior officials from across Government have been engaging extensively with member states and our partners in the EU institutions to negotiate the best deal for the UK and the EU. The Ministry of Justice in particular has been engaging with its European counterparts on the practise rights of UK lawyers. We also continue to welcome Ministers from across Europe to the UK on a regular basis.DExEU Ministers are working closely with colleagues across Government to ensure that we continue to discuss the implications of leaving the EU with a broad range of stakeholders, including the legal sector. For example, we work closely with BEIS who co-chair the government-industry Professional and Business Services Council and DEXEU Ministers met with the Law Society in April this year.The Prime Minister has been clear that we are seeking the broadest and deepest possible partnership with the EU – covering more sectors and co-operating more fully than any Free Trade Agreement anywhere in the world today. We don’t want to discriminate against EU service providers in the UK and we wouldn’t want the EU to discriminate against UK service providers. We want to agree an appropriate labour mobility framework that enables UK and EU businesses and professionals to travel, and provide services in person and over the phone or internet. This will support the ability of UK lawyers to practise in EU Member States after EU exit.We also want UK professional qualifications, including UK legal titles, to continue to be recognised across the EU in the future, and vice versa. The March European Council agreed guidelines for negotiations on our future relationship, which reference the desire of the EU27 to include ambitious provisions on the recognition of qualifications. This is a useful starting point for the next stage of negotiations on the future economic partnership. The Government will support the legal services sector to ensure that it continues to prosper after the UK leaves the EU.

Department for Education

Department for Education: Apprentices

Jack Lopresti: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what levels of apprenticeships are offered by his Department; and how many apprenticeship starts there were at each level in each of the last three years.

Anne Milton: The department offers apprenticeships at levels 2 to 6. We plan to offer level 7 apprenticeships in the near future. The data on apprenticeship starts is not available in the format requested. The table below provides the number of those who started an apprenticeship in the department in each of the last three years: YearNumber of apprentice starts2015/2016642016/2017502017/2018116

Vocational Guidance

Nic Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Education report entitled How well do schools prepare children for their future published in May 2017, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of taking steps to encourage an increase in the number of qualified careers guidance counsellors and the number of institutions in which they work.

Anne Milton: The careers strategy makes clear that personal guidance from a qualified practitioner is important to help individuals make informed choices about their education, training and careers.Secondary schools and colleges are responsible for making sure their students receive independent careers guidance with a qualified careers adviser whenever significant study or career choices are being made. We recognise the value of personal guidance and expect all schools to work towards meeting the eight Gatsby Career Benchmarks by the end of 2020. The benchmark on personal guidance advises that all young people should have a careers interview by the age of 16, and the opportunity for one further such interview by age 18.To target support for those who need it most, the government has announced £2.5 million of funding for new innovative, cost effective models, for delivering personal careers guidance in schools and colleges. The funding will be used for personal guidance for young people, the training and ongoing continuing professional development of career guidance professionals and the development of a pipeline of qualified career guidance professionals for the future.

Apprentices: Greater Manchester

Jim McMahon: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what comparative estimate he has made of the apprenticeship uptake in Greater Manchester in (a) the last twelve months and (b) the previous three years.

Anne Milton: We publish the number of apprenticeship starts by academic year and local authority in the ‘FE data library’: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/fe-data-library. The table attached shows the figures for the local authorities within Greater Manchester from 2013/14.



Apprenticeship_starts_by_academic_year
(Word Document, 40 KB)

Teachers

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate he has made of the number of people working as private tutors for (a) primary and (b) secondary school aged children.

Nick Gibb: The information requested is not held centrally.

Schools

Angela Rayner: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if he will publish a response to each question in the Schools that work for everyone consultation; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Gibb: The Government’s response to the proposals in the ‘Schools that Work for Everyone’ consultation was published on Friday 11 May, and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State made a statement to the House of Commons regarding the Government’s response on Monday 14 May. The response can be viewed here: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/schools-that-work-for-everyone.

Schools

Stephanie Peacock: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to his Written Ministerial Statement of 11 May 2018 on Good School Places, HCWS676, what criteria his Department will use to assess (a) demand for places and (b) the requirement to raise school standards.

Nick Gibb: Details on all criteria used to assess mainstream free school applications in the latest round (wave 13), including evidence of need for good school places, can be found in the ‘how to apply’ guidance available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/free-school-application-guide.

Free Schools

Stephanie Peacock: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to his Written Ministerial Statement of 11 May 2018 on Good School Places, HCWS676, what proportion of schools approved in Wave 13 are located in the Government’s Opportunity Areas.

Nadhim Zahawi: On Friday 11 May, the department launched guidance for the Wave 13 free school application round. This is published on GOV.UK and is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/free-school-application-guide. The department has not yet received any applications for Wave 13; a timetable is included in the published guidance. It is not possible to say how many applications will be received from Opportunity Areas, nor how many will be approved. The application process is competitive and all applications will be assessed against the rigorous and robust criteria set out in the guidance.

Academies: Finance

Stephanie Peacock: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many Academy Trusts reported a severe financial deficit to the Education and Skills Funding Agency in financial year 2018-19.

Stephanie Peacock: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many Academy Trusts have received emergency funding from the Education and Skills Funding Agency in the current financial year; and the total amount of emergency funding that was allocated.

Nadhim Zahawi: The Education and Skills Funding Agency’s (ESFA) records show that one academy trust has reported a severe deficit in the 2018-19 financial year and two academy trusts received unscheduled funding payments totalling £230,000 in the same period (as at 15 May 2018). In the most serious cases, the ESFA provide additional funding to protect the education of children. Academy trusts are expected to repay any additional funding once they have reached a stable financial position. Academy trust accountability is founded on a clear framework communicated and regulated by the ESFA, with effective oversight and compliance based on proportionate risk assessment, and robust intervention when concerns arise. To ensure strong external scrutiny, all academy trusts must have an annual external audit of their annual accounts by a registered statutory auditor and the department expect trusts to act on audit findings as an opportunity to strengthen their systems. Auditors must apply national auditing standards set by the Financial Reporting Council as independent regulator, and this provides the department with a high level of confidence that scrutiny is professional and consistent. The ESFA works with academy trusts to prevent financial instability and enable them to recover their financial position and return to stable governance. When we intervene, we publish financial notices to improve (FNtI) and investigation reports to be transparent so that lessons can be learned. The sector remains in a strong position, with just over 1% of academy trusts subject to an active FNtI. Published FNtIs are available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/academies-financial-notices-to-improve. The ESFA is also working with the sector to continue building capacity and expertise in financial management and forecasting. To reinforce the importance of three year financial planning, the ESFA are further strengthening budget forecasting. The ESFA CEO Eileen Milner wrote to academy trusts in March 2018 setting out the requirement for all academy trusts to submit three-year financial forecasts.

Children's Centres: Closures

Tracy Brabin: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 23 April 2018 to Question 136295 on Children’s Centres: Closures, what assessment has been made of the potential merits of requiring local authorities to report children’s centre closures in real time.

Nadhim Zahawi: The Department for Education has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Pupils: Hyperactivity

Jo Platt: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 11 May 2018 to Question 141912 on Pupils: Hyperactivity, what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of the (a) approach and (b) guidelines in place to assist and support pupils who have ADHD.

Nadhim Zahawi: The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence revised the clinical guideline on the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in 2018. This guideline covers recognising, diagnosing and managing ADHD in children, young people and adults. It aims to improve recognition and diagnosis, as well as the quality of care and support for people with ADHD. At least some children with ADHD are likely to experience learning difficulties that call for additional or different educational provision to that required by other children. The 0-25 Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Code of Practice provides statutory guidance and is applicable across the range of special educational needs and disabilities. Schools are required to identify and address the SEND of the pupils they support and to use their best endeavours to make sure that a child or young person who has SEND gets the support they need. In inspecting a school, Ofsted must consider how well the school meets the needs of the range of pupils at the school, including specifically those with SEND.

Schools: Finance

Angela Rayner: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 10 May 2018 to Question 138993 on Schools: Finance, if he will publish the 19 local authorities that submitted disapplication notices to transfer more than 0.5 per cent of their block funding for schools.

Nick Gibb: An error has been identified in the written answer given on 17 May 2018.The correct answer should have been:

The decisions for the 19 local authorities are set out in the table below: Local Authority NameDecision Amount of transfer  (£million)Percentage of  schools block BarnsleyPartial Approval*1.41.00%Bath and North East SomersetNot Allowed33.00%BoltonApproved21.00%BournemouthApproved1.11.20%BristolApproved20.80%DerbyNot AllowedUp to 1.7Up to 1.0%Hammersmith and FulhamNot Allowed0.70.70%HartlepoolApproved0.50.80%HullNot AllowedAbove 0.9Above 0.5%Kingston-upon-ThamesPartial Approval*1.31.30%LambethNot Allowed1.50.70%North SomersetApproved1.20.97%NorthumberlandApproved1.81.00%OldhamApproved1.91.00%PooleApproved0.70.92%RotherhamNot Allowed2.41.30%South GloucestershireApproved2.91.90%SouthwarkApproved2.20.90%ThurrockApproved1.91.60% NT: *The totals and percentages shown are those approved, not applied for. applied for, not that approved.

Nick Gibb: The decisions for the 19 local authorities are set out in the table below: Local Authority NameDecision Amount of transfer  (£million)Percentage of  schools block BarnsleyPartial Approval*1.41.00%Bath and North East SomersetNot Allowed33.00%BoltonApproved21.00%BournemouthApproved1.11.20%BristolApproved20.80%DerbyNot AllowedUp to 1.7Up to 1.0%Hammersmith and FulhamNot Allowed0.70.70%HartlepoolApproved0.50.80%HullNot AllowedAbove 0.9Above 0.5%Kingston-upon-ThamesPartial Approval*1.31.30%LambethNot Allowed1.50.70%North SomersetApproved1.20.97%NorthumberlandApproved1.81.00%OldhamApproved1.91.00%PooleApproved0.70.92%RotherhamNot Allowed2.41.30%South GloucestershireApproved2.91.90%SouthwarkApproved2.20.90%ThurrockApproved1.91.60% NT: *The totals and percentages shown are those approved, not applied for. applied for, not that approved.

Schools: Finance

Angela Rayner: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer 10 May 2018 to Question 138993 on Schools: Finance, in how many of those nineteen cases he has made a decision; and what the decision was in each case.

Angela Rayner: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 10 May 2018 to Question 138993 on Schools: Finance, how much each local authority has asked permission to transfer (a) in cash terms and (b) as a proportion of their block funding for schools.

Angela Rayner: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 10 May 2018 to Question 138993 on Schools: Finance, if he will to publish the decisions made by his Department on applications from local authorities to transfer more than 0.5 per cent of their schools'block funding.

Nick Gibb: The decisions for the 19 local authorities are set out in the table below: Local Authority NameDecision Amount of transfer  (£million)Percentage of  schools block BarnsleyPartial Approval*1.41.00%Bath and North East SomersetNot Allowed33.00%BoltonApproved21.00%BournemouthApproved1.11.20%BristolApproved20.80%DerbyNot AllowedUp to 1.7Up to 1.0%Hammersmith and FulhamNot Allowed0.70.70%HartlepoolApproved0.50.80%HullNot AllowedAbove 0.9Above 0.5%Kingston-upon-ThamesPartial Approval*1.31.30%LambethNot Allowed1.50.70%North SomersetApproved1.20.97%NorthumberlandApproved1.81.00%OldhamApproved1.91.00%PooleApproved0.70.92%RotherhamNot Allowed2.41.30%South GloucestershireApproved2.91.90%SouthwarkApproved2.20.90%ThurrockApproved1.91.60% NT: *The totals and percentages shown are those applied for, not that approved.

Children: Day Care

Tracy Brabin: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what guidance his Department has issued to Local Authorities on the procurement of IT systems to deliver 30 free hours of childcare.

Nadhim Zahawi: The Department for Education has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Schools: Finance

Sir Desmond Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, for what reason he did not implement grant funding for Year Seven catch-up proposals.

Nick Gibb: The Department for Education has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Ministry of Justice

Solicitors: Standards

Stephen Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what discussions he has had with the Solicitors Regulation Authority on the conduct of Blackstones and BW Legal in their work on behalf of private parking companies.

Lucy Frazer: Holding answer received on 26 April 2018



The legal services sector in England and Wales is independent of government as are the legal services regulators and the Legal Services Board is the oversight regulator. Ministers have had no discussions with the Solicitors Regulation Authority on the conduct of these firms.

Insurance: Liability

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy on the implications for the public liability claims handling process of the non-disclosure by organisations of their public liability insurer.

Lucy Frazer: Holding answer received on 27 April 2018



The Secretary of State for Justice has not had any discussions with the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy on the implications of the decision of the High Court in Peel Port Shareholder Finance Co v Dornoch Ltd [2017] EWHC 876 (TCC) for the conduct of legal proceedings in relation to which the defendant may have public liability insurance.

Parole

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will bring forward proposals to restrict the right of prisoners to be eligible for parole on multiple occasions.

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will bring forward proposals to ensure that prisoners released on parole from life sentences are ineligible for parole again in the event that they re-offend.

Rory Stewart: We are improving the parole system following the Review of the law, policy and procedures relating to Parole Board decision making – which was published on 28 April. We will allow victims and others to receive summaries of Parole Board decisions; we are consulting on a mechanism to allow for decisions to be reconsidered; and will review the Parole Board rules in their entirety. This will improve the transparency and robustness of the parole process and the experience of victims. We have no current plans to change the legislation to restrict or take away the possibility of prisoners being considered for parole where that is part of the sentence the courts have given them. A prisoner is entitled to review by the Parole Board once they have completed the punitive part of their sentence (at tariff expiry) and at periods not exceeding two years thereafter. The Parole Board may only direct the release an offender if satisfied they do not pose a risk to the safety of the public. Whilst a prisoner might have multiple opportunities to go before the Parole Board they will only be released when the Board considers it safe to do so. Where a further offence is committed by an offender released on licence that would be a factor considered by the Board in any future parole hearing. Any restriction on an offender’s ability to have their continued detention considered once they are only serving the preventative part of the sentence (post tariff) would be unlawful. Their detention would then become arbitrary and it would effectively apply a whole-life order to the offender – which would be disproportionate and unjustified by the sentence imposed by the court.

Prisoners' Release

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many prisoners convicted of what offence and with what period of sentence left to serve who were released from prison in error (a) have and (b) have not been returned to custody in each of the last five years.

Rory Stewart: The information requested could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. The latest regularly published information on releases in error can be found within the NOMS Annual Digest 2016/17 https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/annual-national-offender-management-service-digest-2016-to-2017

Offences against Children: Sentencing

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many and what proportion of (a) men and (b) women convicted of sexual activity with a child received a prison sentence in each of the last five years; and what the average prison sentence was for such (i) men and (ii) women.

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many (a) men and (b) women convicted of sexual activity with a child received a (i) conditional discharge, (ii) fine, (iii) community order and (iv) suspended prison sentence in each of the last five years.

Rory Stewart: Annual data is available in the ‘Criminal Justice Statistics Outcomes by Offence’ tool in Criminal Justice Statistics publication which can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/criminal-justice-system-statistics-quarterly-december-2016Offences of sexual activity with a child under 13 and of sexual activity involving a child under 16 can be selected from the offence drop down box. Drop down boxes are also available for gender and age group.Data on female offenders is not available prior to 2015 due to recording issues.Data for 2017 is planned for publication later in May 2018.

Magistrates' Courts: Sales

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the sale price was of each magistrates' court building sold in the last two years; and for how long each such building was not in use for court business prior to being sold.

Lucy Frazer: In the last two financial years (2016-17 and 2017-18) the following magistrates’ courts were closed, with information provided on the closure date, the sale or transfer date and the capital receipt received. Courts Sold2016/17*Sale receiptDate closed**Date soldBridgend Law Courts375,00029/07/201610/03/2017Carmarthen Magistrates’ & Crown Court223,00427/05/201630/11/2016East Berkshire (Bracknell) Magistrates’ Court1,000,00114/10/201420/06/2016Feltham Magistrates’ Court2,150,00030/09/201610/03/2017Frome Magistrates’ Court397,66601/04/201110/08/2016Grantham Magistrates’ Court560,00030/06/201606/01/2017Pontypridd Magistrates’ Court350,00029/07/201624/03/2017Sherborne Magistrates’ Court250,00001/10/201208/02/2017Spalding Magistrates’ Court270,43025/11/201420/12/2016Totnes Magistrates’ Court237,00001/04/201123/09/2016Weston Super Mare Magistrates’ Court116,07801/05/201210/08/2016Pontefract Magistrates’ Court205,00022/03/201306/06/2016Bridgewater Magistrates’ Court167,65230/03/201210/08/20162017/18Cirencester Magistrates’ Court450,00001/04/201107/09/2017Dorking Magistrates’ Court2,125,00001/03/201011/08/2017Greenwich Magistrates’ Court12,005,00027/05/201623/08/2017Hammersmith Magistrates’ Court43,000,00031/12/201719/12/2017Holyhead Magistrates’ Court112,50028/04/201713/10/2017Richmond Upon Thames Magistrates’ Court9,838,00018/03/201616/08/2017Solihull Magistrates’ Court4,312,00031/03/201626/05/2017Waltham Forest Magistrates’ Court3,471,04030/03/201607/08/2017Chester-Le-St Magistrates’ Court100,00022/09/201618/08/2017Tottenham (Enfield) Magistrates’ Court4,570,00010/02/201726/05/2017Dolgellau Magistrates’ Court67,50925/08/201620/11/2017Caerphilly Magistrates’ Court445,00030/05/201623/03/2018Towcester Magistrates’ Court50,00001/04/201122/02/2018 Transfers To Education Skills Funding Agency2017/18Transfer ReceiptDate Closed Date TransferredRedhill Magistrates’ Court6,550,00031/03/201701/11/17 Transfers To Homes England (Formerly Homes & Communities Agency)2016/17Transfer ReceiptDate Closed Date TransferredConsett Magistrates' Court225,00029/07/201631/10/2016Dartford Magistrates' Court1,000,00003/05/201631/10/2016Halifax Magistrates' Court550,00030/09/201631/10/2016North Avon (Yate) Magistrates' Court1,350,00030/09/201631/10/2016Ormskirk Magistrates' Court250,00028/06/201631/10/2016Skegness Magistrates' Court150,00030/09/201631/10/2016Trafford Magistrates' & Altrincham County Court3,235,00030/06/201631/10/2016West Berkshire (Newbury) Magistrates' Court1,000,00024/06/201631/10/2016Worksop Magistrates' Court115,00031/03/201631/10/2016Corby Magistrates' Court140,00001/07/201627/03/2017Fareham Magistrates' Court1,150,00030/09/201627/03/2017Kettering Magistrates' Court187,50030/06/201627/03/2017Rotherham Magistrates' & County Court130/09/201627/03/2017Bury St Edmunds Magistrates' & Crown Court1,050,00007/10/201628/03/2017Lowestoft Magistrates' & County Court150,00030/09/201628/03/2017Sandwell Magistrates' Court530,00030/09/201628/03/2017Wakefield & Pontefract Magistrates' Court360,00026/09/201628/03/2017Burton upon Trent Magistrates' Court240,00030/09/201629/03/2017Macclesfield Magistrates' Court385,00030/09/201629/03/2017Hinckley Magistrates' Court800,00031/07/201630/03/2017Oldham Magistrates' Court650,00030/09/201630/03/20172017/18   Bicester Magistrates' Court1,270,00019/05/201707/08/2017Dover Magistrates' Court350,00026/05/201709/08/2017Stafford Magistrates' Court435,00028/04/201707/092017Bury Magistrates' & County Court400,00009/06/201726/10/2017Eastbourne Magistrates' & County Court805,00029/09/201731/10/2017Kendal Magistrates' Court720,00030/06/201702/11/2017 HM Courts & Tribunals Service will seek to obtain the best possible value from the sale of surplus court and tribunal buildings and conduct sales as expediently as possible. For some locations, disposals have been taken longer due to legal restrictions on disposal and development, co-location with other public services and market conditions. * Financial year figures relate to the date on which the court is sold.** A court is considered closed when it has been operationally exited, or when services are no longer delivered from the site. In many cases fully exiting a site will take longer.

Parole

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many prisoners were released on temporary licence from each category of prison in the most recent twelve month period for which figures are available.

Rory Stewart: Public protection is our priority. All offenders must meet strict criteria and pass a full risk assessment before being considered for Release on temporary licence (ROTL). ROTL is used to prepare prisoners for their eventual release from custody and helps with finding work and stable accommodation, and to build and maintain family ties, all of which helps reduce reoffending. The table below shows the number of prisoners released on temporary licence in England and Wales during 2017 by category of prison from which they were released. Prisons have been categorised by their predominant function as at January 2014. Some prisons will have a dual function, but will only be counted under their predominant function. For example, some category A prisons also have a local function and are counted under the "category A" heading although they will hold prisoners of all categories. The prisoner released from the category A prison was a category D prisoner and the prisoners released from category B prisons were category C prisoners. Prison categoryNumber of prisonersCategory A1Category B2Category C164Category D6240  Other prisons (1)1096  All prisons7,503(1) “Other prisons” includes those prisons with a predominant function of YOI, Female prison, Local prison or NOMS IRC.

Racially Aggravated Offences: Sentencing

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the ethnicity was of each (a) offender and (b) victim of each racially aggravated offence which resulted in a prison sentence in the last five years; and what the average sentence was by ethnicity for each such offence.

Rory Stewart: It is not possible to identify from centrally held data the ethnicity of each victim of racially aggravated offences resulting in a prison sentence without incurring disproportionate cost.

Reoffenders: Alternatives to Prison

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the highest number of previous convictions was for an person convicted of a further offence in each of the last three years who was not given a sentence of immediate custody; and what the sentence was for the most such recent offence in each such case.

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the highest number of previous convictions for robbery was for a person convicted of a further robbery offence in each of the last three years who was not given a sentence of immediate custody; and what the sentence was for the most such recent offence in each such case.

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the highest number of previous convictions for drink driving offences was for a person convicted of a further drink driving offence in each of the last three years who was not given a sentence of immediate custody; and what the sentence was for the most recent such offence in each such case.

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the highest number of previous convictions for driving whist disqualified was for a person convicted of a further driving whilst disqualified offence in each of the last three years who was not given a sentence of immediate custody; and what the sentence was for the most recent such offence in each such case.

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the highest number of previous convictions for public order act offences was for a person convicted of a further public order act offence in each of the last three years who was not given a sentence of immediate custody; and what the sentence was for the most recent such offence in each such case.

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the highest number of previous convictions for theft was for a person convicted of a further theft offence in each of the last three years who was not given a sentence of immediate custody; and what the sentence was for the most recent such offence in each such case.

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the highest number of previous convictions for a knife offence was for a person convicted of a further knife offence in each of the last thee years who was not given a sentence of immediate custody; and what the sentence was for the most recent such offence in each such case.

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the highest number of previous convictions for burglary was for a person convicted of a further burglary in each of the last three years who was not given a sentence of immediate custody; and what the sentence was for the most recent such offence in each such case.

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the highest number of previous convictions for drug offences was for a person convicted of a further drug offence in each of the last three years who was not given a sentence of immediate custody; and what the sentence was for the most recent such offence in each such case.

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the highest number of previous convictions for assaulting a police officer was for a person convicted of a further assault police officer offence in each of the last three years who was not given a sentence of immediate custody; and what the sentence was for the most recent such offence in each such case.

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the highest number of previous convictions for taking a vehicle without consent was for a person convicted of a further offence of taking a vehicle without consent in each of the last three years who was not given a sentence of immediate custody; and what the sentence was for the most recent such offence in each such case.

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the highest number of previous convictions for vehicle interference was for a person convicted of a further vehicle interference offence in each of the last three years who was not given a sentence of immediate custody; and what the sentence was for the most recent such offence in each such case.

Rory Stewart: The highest number of previous convictions for a person convicted of a further offence in 2014-2016 who was not given a sentence of immediate custody, and what the sentence was for the most such recent offence in each such case, broken down by offence, can be viewed in the table.



Table
(Excel SpreadSheet, 15.02 KB)

Slavery: Legal Aid Scheme

Anne Marie Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps he is taking to address the denial of free legal assistance to potential victims of modern slavery for which they are entitled.

Lucy Frazer: The Government has always been clear that publicly-funded immigration legal advice is available for individuals identified as potential victims of trafficking or modern slavery. We have recently made a technical clarification about the work that can be funded, but victims of modern slavery and human trafficking in immigration cases continue to be entitled to legal aid funding.

Home Office: Registered Intermediaries

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how much his Department spent from the public purse on Registered Intermediaries in each of the last four years.

Lucy Frazer: The Department does not hold the information requested. The Ministry of Justice manages the overall Witness Intermediary Scheme, with the payment of Registered Intermediaries coming from police forces, the CPS and courts as the end-users of their services.

Young Offenders: Reparation by Offenders

Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what his policy is on the use of restorative justice for young offenders.

Dr Phillip Lee: Restorative justice is a key part of the rehabilitation of young people in both the community and custody. Conducted by youth offender panels, Referral Orders are community orders imposed by the sentencing court. They are underpinned by the principles of ensuring a restorative approach and a positive outcome for all those affected by the offence. Youth offender panels conduct referral orders in accordance with restorative principles and practice, enabling children and young people to recognise the consequences of their offending and to be accountable for their actions. Enabling the voice of the victim to be heard is central to the Referral Order and the victim should be offered information about the order, consulted as to their wishes and invited to be involved in a restorative process. When in custody, conflict resolution strategies are used as part of a wider Behavioural Management Strategy, applying Restorative Justice Principles to resolve conflict between young people. In addition, staff are being trained as Restorative Justice Facilitators, with the aim of all the public-sector youth secure establishments earning a Restorative Justice Quality Mark.

Prison Sentences: Females

David Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many women were sent to immediate custody from the (a) the Crown Court and (b) magistrates' courts for sentences (i) below 6 months and (ii) above 6 months in each police force area in England and Wales in each of the last five years.

Rory Stewart: The number of custodial sentences issued to female offenders in England and Wales, by court type and police force area from 2012 to 2016, can be viewed in the attached Tables 1 to 5. The data for 2017 will be published on 17 May 2018. We are committed to doing all we can to address the issues around female offending so we can better protect the public and deliver more effective rehabilitation. That is why we will set out a strategy for female offenders, to improve outcomes and services for women in both the community and custody.



Table
(Excel SpreadSheet, 38.74 KB)

Courts: Video Conferencing

Holly Lynch: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what estimate he has made of the percentage of courts which currently have the technological capacity to host video links.

Lucy Frazer: All criminal courts have access to video links and we are increasing the availability of video links across the civil and family courts. Combined, around 90% of courts have this technology.

Courts: Closures

Holly Lynch: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what estimate his Department has made of the number of cases that were (a) lost and (b) dropped in areas where the local court has closed in each of the last five years.

Lucy Frazer: This information could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Magistrates' Courts: Calderdale

Holly Lynch: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many and what proportion of cases heard at Calderdale Magistrates Court are now heard in (a) Bradford, (b) Huddersfield and (c) Leeds.

Lucy Frazer: All cases which would previously have been heard in Calderdale Magistrates’ Court are now heard in Bradford Magistrates’ Court.

Domestic Violence: West Yorkshire

Holly Lynch: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the (a) average and (b) longest waiting time was for a domestic violence charge to be heard in a court in (a) Calderdale and (b) West Yorkshire in each year since 2010.

Lucy Frazer: The information requested could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Right of Search: West Yorkshire

Holly Lynch: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many search warrants were issued for properties in west Yorkshire in (a) 2018, (b) 2015 and (c) 2010.

Lucy Frazer: The data requested is not available for any period prior to June 2016 when a national Applications Register was implemented. Information for 2018 is not available.

Courts: West Yorkshire

Holly Lynch: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many cases were summonsed in (a) 2018, (b) 2016, (c) 2010 in West Yorkshire.

Lucy Frazer: The information requested for 2010 and 2016 can be found in the table below. Information for 2018 is not available. West YorkshireCalendar YearSummons201047,38220167,578

Personal Independence Payment: Appeals

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what estimate he has made of the longest waiting time recorded from the lodging of a personal independence payment appeal to the confirmation of a date for the appeal tribunal, in each region of the UK in each year since its inception.

Lucy Frazer: The information requested is not held centrally.

Personal Independence Payment: Appeals

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 11 September 2017 to Question 8402 on Personal Independence Payment: Appeals, what the average waiting time was for a personal independence payment appeal to be heard for the 2017-18 reporting period.

Lucy Frazer: The average waiting time1 for Personal Independence Payment Appeals between April 2017 and December 2017 (the latest period for which figures are available) was 22p weeks. 1Waiting time is interpreted as average clearance time – time taken for appeal receipt to outcome. Includes both appeals cleared at tribunal hearing and those cleared without the need of a tribunal hearing.p Provisional data, which will be reconciled when the annual statistics are published and are therefore subject to change.Although care is taken when processing and analysing the data, the details are subject to inaccuracies inherent in any large-scale case management system and are the best data that are available.

Department for International Trade

Overseas Trade: Iran

Lloyd Russell-Moyle: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what steps the Government is taking to ensure that UK businesses trading with Iran are protected from the imposition of US extraterritorial sanctions in relation to that country.

Graham Stuart: The government has recently updated its advice for doing business in Iran on gov.uk. We are working with our European partners to explore potential options for protecting UK and European business interests and maintaining sanctions relief to Iran. We have raised with the US the need to make allowance for continued economic ties between Europe and Iran – including legitimate UK business - to ensure we can meet our obligations under the deal. The UK remains party to the JCPoA and UN/EU sanctions on Iran continue to be lifted to allow UK businesses to operate in Iran.

Overseas Trade

Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, how many staff in his Department were posted to each country for the purposes of promoting trade with the UK since his Department was established; and  what estimate he has made of the number of staff in his Department that will be posted to each country in each of the next three years.

Greg Hands: The number of people working for the Department for International Trade (DIT) overseas and promoting trade with the UK as at 31 March 2018 is shown in the attached table. The table shows each country, grouped by HM Trade Commissioner Region.HM Trade Commissioners (HMTCs) have recently been appointed to 5 DIT regions, with a further 4 to be announced shortly. Our HMTCs will have the freedom to determine how they wish to shape their Region going forward, including the allocation of staff at each Post. 



Annex A - Overeas Posting
(Word Document, 29.81 KB)

Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Local Government Finance

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 27 April 2018 to Question 136658 on Local Government Finance, if he will publish the dates of the meetings that officials in his Department held with (a) policy teams from across Whitehall and (b) local government officials on the impact of the UK's exit from the EU.

Jake Berry: Officials across my Department routinely engage with policy teams across Whitehall and with local government officials on the impacts of Brexit. Discussions take place in a range of fora and information on the timings of these meetings is not held centrally.

Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Apprentices

Jack Lopresti: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what levels of apprenticeships are offered by his Department; and how many apprenticeship starts there were at each level in each of the last three years.

Jake Berry: The Department had 67 apprenticeship starts at the following levels in each of the last three years: Year & Subject TypeLevel 3Level 4Grand Total2015/164610Business Administration46102016/1792635Business Administration02525Finance011Management9092017/1802222Business Administration02020Finance011Project Delivery011Total135467 The Department currently employs 43 diverse and talented apprentices working right across the organisation in policy, admin and PA support roles. Most are studying towards a Level 4 qualification in business administration, though we also have apprentices working towards finance and project delivery qualifications. This time next year we will be welcoming the very first batch of policy officer apprentices which is a brand new apprenticeship that MHCLG helped design. We are also expecting to welcome our first Cyber and Digital apprentices next year, and offer a range of apprenticeships to existing staff including the Level 6 Chartered Manager Degree apprenticeship.

Community Relations: Finance

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, when he plans to announce how funding for the Integrated Communities Strategy will be allocated.

Rishi Sunak: We are investing £50 million over two years to support the objectives of the Integrated Communities Strategy Green Paper. The consultation on the Green Paper closes on 5 June and we will be announcing more details of how funding is allocated in due course, taking account of the outcome of the consultation.

Local Government Finance

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what guidance his Department provides to local authorities on the use of council reserves.

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government,whether his Department encourages the use of local authority reserves to pay for the delivery of local services.

Rishi Sunak: Local authorities are responsible for managing their budgets in line with local priorities. They are free to determine the level of reserves they hold and are accountable to their electorate for the decisions they make.Many local authorities have built up substantial reserves over recent years. It is right that they use them where necessary to protect high quality services for taxpayers.

Local Government Finance

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what information his Department holds on the (a) use of and (b) existing level of reserves by local authorities.

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what estimate his Department has made of the proportion of local authorities that are drawing on their reserves.

Rishi Sunak: Reserves data is published in Table 7 as part of MHCLG’s Local Authority Revenue Expenditure and Financing: 2016-17 Final Outturn, England data publication. These data tables enable year on year comparison of reserves movementshttps://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/local-authority-revenue-expenditure-and-financing-england-2016-to-2017-individual-local-authority-data-outturn

Local Government Finance

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether his Department plans to introduce new rules on the amount of minimum reserves councils should hold.

Rishi Sunak: Primary legislation requires each local authority’s section 151 officer to recommend a minimum level of unallocated reserves for full council approval. This is the personal and professional responsibility of that officer and the department has no plans to do anything that may be seen as restricting that decision.

Local Government Finance

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what information his Department holds on the financial payments made by local authorities to bring to an early end services contracts with outsourcing groups.

Rishi Sunak: MHCLG does not collect data on outsourced contracts.The Transparency Code requires local authorities to publish a document detailing all non-payroll payments of more than £500 on a monthly basis.

Homelessness

Kate Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to Written Statement of 9 May 2018, HCWS671, how long the Housing First pilots are planned to last.

Rishi Sunak: The pilots will receive three years' worth of funding.

Homelessness

Kate Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to Written Statement of 9 May 2018, HCWS671, whether he plans to publish interim reports from external evaluators during Housing First pilots.

Rishi Sunak: The Department plans to publish interim findings from external evaluation of the pilots.

Homelessness: Veterans

Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how many veterans of the armed forces are classed as homeless in each constituent part of the UK.

Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of trends in the level of homelessness among veterans in each constituent part of the UK over the last 10 years.

Rishi Sunak: The Government collects quarterly and annual statistics on how many people approach local authorities as homeless in England, including if they are vulnerable as a result of having served in HM forces. The latest local authority level statistics, and quarterly statistics since 2009, can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/live-tables-on-homelessness

Homelessness: Veterans

Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what support his Department provides to veterans who have left the armed forces and become homeless.

Rishi Sunak: The Government is strongly committed to the Armed Forces Covenant and has taken significant action to ensure that serving personnel and veterans do not face any disadvantage as a result of their brave service for this country. That is why we are working closely with the Ministry of Defence as part of our cross-government Rough Sleeping and Homelessness Reduction Taskforce to achieve our commitment of halving rough sleeping by 2022 and eliminating it by 2027.In addition, as part of the Homelessness Reduction Act, the duty to refer will ensure that armed forces personnel leaving the service, who are at risk of homelessness, are referred to a local authority for support.

Planning: Public Inquiries

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 10 May 2018 to Question 140674, on Planning: Public Inquiries, how many and what proportion of decisions of public planning inquiries, as a result of call-ins only, did not follow the advice of the planning inspector in each year since 2010 up to the most recent year for which data is available; and if he will make a statement.

Dominic Raab: The table below shows the number of decisions on called-in applications made by Ministers since 2010, together with the proportion of decisions which did not follow the Planning Inspector’s recommendation.Calendar Year Number of Cases decidedNumber of Cases not in line with Inspector's recommendationPercentage of decisions not in line with Inspector's recommendation201019631%20116116%20126116%2013300%2014800%20158225%201616425%20177114%

Derelict Land: Greater Manchester

Jim McMahon: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will publish a breakdown by local authority of the £50 million brownfield land fund for Greater Manchester announced at the end of March 2018.

Dominic Raab: The Greater Manchester housing package supports the Government’s brownfield first policy as well as helping small and medium sized builders and tackling the large number of complex, small sites prevalent in the area. The housing package will deliver 227,200 homes by 2035 and provide Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) with the tools to unlock a sustainable pipeline of homes. The housing package includes Government’s commitment to provide a Land Fund of up to £50 million to provide support for the remediation of brownfield land for housing. The land fund should deliver at least 4200 homes and will be subject to value for money assurance.We are still working closely with GMCA on the detailed delivery plan.

Local Plans

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how much responsibility a Government Local Plan Inspector has for identifying the soundness of a Local Plan.

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what the (a) mechanisms for challenging and (b) processes for appealing against the decisions of a Government Local Plan Inspector are; and if he will make a statement.

Dominic Raab: Planning Inspectors act on behalf of the Secretary of State to assess whether a Local Plan is suitably thought through, and whether it satisfies the statutory requirements, following a transparent and rigorous public examination process. The inspector is responsible for making recommendations to the local planning authority.The decision whether to adopt a Local Plan is made by the local planning authority. They may choose to withdraw a Local Plan after considering the inspector’s report.While there is no formal mechanism to appeal against the recommendations in an inspector’s report, the adopted Local Plan could be challenged in the High Court on a point of law.The Secretary of State also has powers to intervene in the Local Plan process if he thinks that a local development document is unsatisfactory. However, wherever possible, Government wants to allow local planning authorities to decide on whether to adopt a plan, without interference from central Government.

Homelessness

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what recent assessment he has made of the effect of the implementation of the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 on the prevention of homelessness.

Rishi Sunak: It is too early to evaluate the impact of the Act following its commencement on 3 April 2018. The Government published its methodology for calculating and allocating £72.7 million of new burdens funding, including assumptions about the expected impact of the Act, on 16 October 2017 and has committed to review the implementation of the Act and the level of new burdens funding within two years of its commencement.

Opencast Mining: County Durham

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of the proposed ‘Bradley’ open-cast coal mine in Pont Valley, County Durham on the UK meeting its carbon reduction targets in the Climate Change Act 2008.

Jake Berry: The Secretary of State is currently considering requests to revoke the planning permission, granted on 3 June 2015, for surface coal mining at the Bradley site. These requests are being considered in the light of the current policy on revocation. I am therefore unable to comment on any aspects of this proposal as to do so is likely to be prejudicial. As a decision is reached however the Secretary of State will take into account the matters raised in the requests, including those set out in your correspondence of 1 March. A decision will be issued shortly.

Housing Associations: Sales

Ms Karen Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how many properties have been disposed of by housing associations in each English region in each year since 2010.

Ms Karen Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how many properties have been disposed of by each housing association in England in each year since 2010.

Ms Karen Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how many properties have been disposed of by each housing association in England since 2010.

Ms Karen Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how many properties of each number of bedrooms have been disposed of by each housing association in England since 2010.

Dominic Raab: Data on housing associations is collected by Homes England. The data requested is collected through the Single Data Return (SRD) and publically available at https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/statistical-data-return-statistical-releases.Data has been collected from 2011/12 onwards. Figures relate to owned social rental stock only. Providers with fewer than 1,000 units do not provide information.

Ministry of Defence

Ministry of Defence: Official Cars

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 10 May 2018 to Question 141014, on Official Cars, what the total number of civil servants who have been provided with a car to carry out duties is; and what the pay grade is of each of those civil servants.

Guto Bebb: Around 240 Ministry of Defence civil servants have been allocated an official car to enable them to carry out essential duties including security, welfare, chaplaincy, safety, training and recruitment. Over 200 are security service engineers who provide security services to all of Government and the Royal palaces. The cars are held by the individual until the conclusion of their tenure in the role. Their grades are primarily bands D(EO), C2((HEO) and C1(SEO), and skill zone equivalents.

Defence: Radar

Stephen Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment his Department has made of the potential effect of the Government selecting a non-UK based supplier for a deployable long range air-defence radar on the commercial viability of UK based companies seeking to export the commander radar.

Guto Bebb: The competition to procure a replacement deployable long-range air defence radar will be open to UK and overseas companies in accordance with EU procurement regulations. This will ensure that the best solution is selected at the best value for money for the UK taxpayer. The Government continues to work closely with UK based companies to identify and support future export opportunities as part of the prosperity agenda.

Ministry of Defence: Accountability

Nia Griffith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page six of the Thirty-Ninth report of the Public Accounts Committee, the Equipment Plan 2017- 27, HC880, what steps he is taking to improve his Department’s accountability to Parliament.

Guto Bebb: The Department is already taking steps to improve the timeliness and transparency of its reporting to parliament on the Equipment Plan to address the issues raised by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC). These steps include starting work to publish the Equipment Plan Summary 2018-2028 in the autumn and to make this publication a clearer and more accessible account of this complex topic. The Department will carefully review and respond in full to all the PAC's recommendations in due course.

Defence: Modernisation

Nia Griffith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department plans to publish its response to the Modernising Defence Programme consultation before it publishes the Modernising Defence Programme; and if he will make a statement.

Gavin Williamson: We are on track to share headline conclusions from the Modernising Defence Programme in time for the NATO Summit in July. We are carefully considering the responses to the public consultation and we intend to share our response in the coming months.

Joint Cyber Reserve

Nia Griffith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many members there have been of the Joint Cyber Reserve in each year since it was launched; and how people have expressed an interest in joining the Joint Cyber Reserve in that same period.

Guto Bebb: Since recruitment began in 2013, applications to join the Joint Cyber Reserves have far exceeded the numbers required. I am withholding the numbers of personnel within the Joint Cyber Force as their disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Ministry of Defence.

Armed Forces: Cybercrime

Nia Griffith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what role the Armed Forces played in response to the (a) Parliament and (b) Wannacry cyber attacks in 2017.

Mark Lancaster: The Ministry of Defence (MOD), including the Armed Forces, continually reviews its security position and its ability to assist civil authorities in the event of a major incident, cyber or otherwise.After the Parliament cyber-attack in 2017, the MOD reviewed its policy and position on user remote access to emails; however, the MOD architecture and risk position is distinctly different to that of Parliament.During the WannaCry cyber-attack, the MOD focused its efforts on defending the MOD network from WannaCry and similar exploits. The MOD liaised with Other Government Departments (OGD) and the NHS and a review of our connections to the NHS was undertaken.For both incidents the MOD was not called upon to provide support to Parliament, OGDs or the NHS.

National Cyber Security Centre: Armed Forces

Gerald Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many members of each branch of the armed services work at the National Cyber Security Centre.

Guto Bebb: The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) was established in October 2016. Since then, the Ministry of Defence has developed a close collaborative relationship with the NCSC. Members of the Armed Forces are employed in a number of roles within the NCSC, but I am withholding further details as their disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Ministry of Defence.

Armed Forces: Cybercrime

Gerald Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many members of each branch of the services are employed in the national offensive cyber programme.

Guto Bebb: As a partnership between the Ministry of Defence and GCHQ, the National Offensive Cyber Programme is designed to harness the skills and talents of both organisations to deliver the tools, techniques and tradecraft required for the UK to establish a world-class offensive cyber capability. I am withholding specific information of the number of personnel from the armed forces employed in the programme as its disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Ministry of Defence.

Department for Work and Pensions

Universal Credit: Young People

Danielle Rowley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people in receipt of premiums claimed for universal credit after the age of 20; and how many of those people requested a mandatory reconsideration of the work capability assessment.

Alok Sharma: An error has been identified in the written answer given on 30 April 2018.The correct answer should have been:

The data requested is going through quality assurance clearance procedures in line with National Statistic and Official Statistics publication standards. We will announce the release date, as per the protocol of release of statistics, when they are ready.The information requested is not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.

Alok Sharma: The data requested is going through quality assurance clearance procedures in line with National Statistic and Official Statistics publication standards. We will announce the release date, as per the protocol of release of statistics, when they are ready.The information requested is not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.

Social Security Benefits

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the average payment has been to the top (a) one, (b) five and (c) 10 per cent of benefit claimants by amount received in each of the last two years.

Kit Malthouse: Annual estimates for the UK are presented in the table below (in nominal terms): Year(a) The average annual payment to the top one per cent of benefit claimants(b) The average annual payment to the top five per cent of benefit claimants(c) The average annual payment to the top ten per cent of benefit claimants2015/16£30,000£23,000£20,0002016/17£31,000£23,000£20,000 These figures have been estimated using data collected by the DWP’s Family Resources Survey (FRS). The FRS is a continuous household survey which collects information on the income and circumstances of a representative sample of 20,000 private households in the United Kingdom each year. 2016/17 is the latest year for which FRS data is currently available. Estimates have been adjusted for non-response using grossing factors that control for tenure type, Council Tax Band and a number of demographic variables. However, as with all surveys, FRS estimates are subject to sampling error and remaining non-sampling bias. Compared to administrative records, the FRS is known to under-report benefit receipt. This analysis considers total income from benefits and tax credits for a benefit unit, rather than at an individual level. This is because entitlement to many forms of state support is assessed at a benefit unit level. A benefit unit is defined as a single adult or a married or cohabiting couple, as well as any dependent children. An adult is defined as those individuals aged 16 or over, unless defined as a dependent child. An individual may be defined as a child if aged 16-19 years old, and not married nor in a Civil Partnership nor living with a partner; and living with parents; and in full-time non-advanced education or in unwaged government training. Analysis includes all income from DWP and HMRC benefits and tax credits, plus council tax benefit. This includes statutory sick pay, statutory maternity pay, statutory paternity pay and statutory adoption pay. Estimates are gross of High Income Child Benefit charge. Figures are rounded to the nearest £1,000 and have not been adjusted for inflation. The median rather than the mean average has been used, as the distributions requested are non-normal.

Unemployment: Young People

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent estimate she has made of the number and proportion of people under the age of 25 who are both not in employment and not in receipt of benefit.

Alok Sharma: The DWP publishes the Family Resources Survey (FRS) annually. The FRS is a continuous household survey, which collects information on a representative sample of private households in the United Kingdom. Detailed information is recorded on respondents’ income from all sources; housing tenure; caring needs and responsibilities; disability; expenditure on housing; education; pension participation; childcare; family circumstances; child maintenance. The estimates in the table below have been produced using data from the 2016/17 survey. Table: Estimated number and proportion of 16-24 year old adults who are neither in employment nor in receipt of benefit. United Kingdom, 2016/17  VolumePercentageSample Size16-24 year olds not receiving benefit and not in work3,200,000451,936of which   Children (16-19 years)1,600,000231,210Students(18-24 years)900,00013411Unemployed (ILO definition)300,0004136Other ILO inactive (including sick/disabled)400,000517916-24 year olds in work or receiving benefit3,900,000551,851Total number of 16-24 year olds7,200,0001003,787Source: Family Resources Survey 2016-17 In addition, the ONS Labour Market Statistics, measured through the Labour Force Survey, also includes estimates of unemployed and inactive people aged 16-24 years. Data from January to March 2018 indicates that, for people aged 16 to 24 years, there were 356,000 unemployed and not in full-time education and 654,000 inactive.  Notes:The figures in the table are estimates derived from the Family Resources Survey.The Family Resources Survey is a continuous nationally representative sample of UK households.https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/family-resources-survey-financial-year-201617The Family Resources Survey is a survey of private households. Therefore people living in communal establishments such as student halls of residence are not included in these figures.Included in this analysis are DWP and HMRC benefits, tax credits, and statutory payments (e.g., statutory maternity pay), plus council tax benefit.Relative to administrative records, the FRS is known to under-report benefit receipt.An individual aged 16-19 is defined as a child if not married nor in a Civil Partnership nor living with a partner; and living with parents; and in full-time non-advanced education or in unwaged government training.ILO definition: International Labour Organisation definition of economic status.Numbers are rounded to the nearest 100,000.The differences in estimates between figures derived through the Labour Force Survey and Family Resources Survey are due to differences in methodology and sample size.

Department for Work and Pensions: Telephone Services

Ruth Smeeth: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the maximum target holding time is for calls to the Tell Us Once phone line.

Kit Malthouse: There is no maximum target holding time for calls to the Tell Us Once phone line.The average speed to answer from 2nd April 2018 to date is forty-five seconds.

Department for Work and Pensions: Apprentices

Jack Lopresti: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what levels of apprenticeships are offered by her Department; and how many apprenticeship starts there were at each level in each of the last three years.

Kit Malthouse: The Civil Service has pledged an unprecedented increase in apprenticeships. Our ambition is to deliver 30,000 apprenticeships by 2020. The level of apprenticeships refers to the educational level and range from level 2 (intermediate) through to level 7(degree).   2015/162016/172017/18Level 2247668200Level 33342577928Level 416821830Level 52090Level 60061Total7513,4631,309

Windrush Generation: Social Security Benefits

Kate Osamor: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what support is in place to assist Commonwealth and Windrush applicants in applying for (a) jobseeker's allowance, (b) employment and support allowance, (c) personal independent payments and (d) universal credit.

Alok Sharma: DWP officials continue to work with the Home Office and other Government bodies to help individuals affected and ensure that they are able to access the benefits and services to which they are entitled. DWP has arranged a fast-track service into the Home Office Taskforce to confirm the status of Commonwealth citizens and people from the Windrush generation who are unable to provide documentation in support of their benefit claim.

Shop Direct Group: Greater Manchester

Jim McMahon: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what support his Department plans to provide to Jobcentre Plus employees affected by the closure of Shop Direct centres in Greater Manchester.

Alok Sharma: DWP representatives attended an initial meeting on Friday 13 April called by the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham. Council Leaders, local MPs, representatives from the Manchester Growth Company, the USDAW Trade Union, and the Shop Direct Executive Board also attended. It was agreed at the meeting that a task force would be established and become the principal point of engagement with Shop Direct in the run up to the closure of the Greater Manchester sites. The initial task force meeting was held on 30 April with DWP in attendance. DWP detailed our Response to Redundancy offer of support for employees facing immediate redundancy which will be provided at the appropriate time, as agreed with the company. Response to Redundancy support is implemented within a timeframe of 13 weeks before and up to 13 weeks after the notified redundancy date. The next meeting for the taskforce is 29 May and DWP’s Employer Engagement Team for the Oldham area will be representing DWP at the meeting We will support individual employees with tailored packages of support which we can enhance with use of Flexible Support funding, such as by removing barriers to employment, providing pre-employment training and support and skills training.

Universal Credit: Easington

Grahame Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 9 May 2018 to Question 140056 on Universal Credit: Easington, what data his Department collects on individual claims for (a) Universal Credit and (b) Mandatory Reconsiderations.

Alok Sharma: DWP has various systems to hold information on individual Universal Credit claims, such as claimant details; household composition and any work history. DWP also collect data about mandatory reconsiderations for Universal Credit, and has partially published this specifically in relation to sanctions in Universal Credit Live Service. This can be accessed at:https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/706823/benefit-sanctions-statistics-to-january-2018.pdf However, to carry out the necessary quality assurance in order to publish information across all decisions subject to a mandatory reconsideration on Universal Credit Live Service and Full Service would incur disproportionate cost.

Social Security Benefits

Grahame Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many claims for (a) personal independence payment, b) employment and support allowance and c) universal credit (limited capability for work related activity element) were determined by paper assessment only in each of the last five years.

Sarah Newton: The volume of paper assessment only is outlined in the table below: PIP, ESA & UC Paper Based Assessment April 2013 to March 2018April 2013 - March 2014April 2014 - March 2015April 2015 - March 2016April 2016 - March 2017April 2017 - March 2018PIP21,722131,865119,458156,082124,117ESA304,488310,010205,796206,195221,894UC171355031,74310,222  The figures show volumes of paper based reports that have been completed by the assessment providers on behalf of DWP without the need for a face to face assessment. When a Personal Independent Payment award is due for a review a Case Manager can, in some instances, make a decision based on the paper evidence without referring the case to an assessment provider. Volumes in relation to this are not readily available and could only be provided at disproportionate costs.

Universal Credit

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what plans she has to ensure that universal credit claimants are aware that they are entitled to deduct expenses when stating their income.

Alok Sharma: The Department uses a number of methods to inform self-employed Universal Credit claimants that they are entitled to deduct permitted business expenses when reporting their income. This includes guidance issued via their Universal Credit account, during the initial self-employment interview carried out by a specially trained work coach, and reminders each time the claimant reports their earnings.

Social Services: Occupational Pensions

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will take steps to ensure care workers whose income is too low to trigger auto-enrolment know the advantages of opting in to pension saving.

Guy Opperman: Ministers, the Department and third parties regularly promote the advantages of pension saving in the media for all workers. All employers have a duty to assess their staff to see if they have eligible workers, tell them about automatic enrolment and complete a declaration of compliance to be submitted to the Pensions Regulator. Even if an employer has workers who are not eligible to be automatically enrolled, they are still required to write to those staff about their right to join a workplace pension scheme. Workers earning below the automatic enrolment earnings trigger and aged between 16 and 75 years will normally still be entitled to a contribution from their employer if they earn more than £6,032 per year (for 2018/19). Automatic enrolment has been a great success story with over 9.6 million workers enrolled into pensions saving and more than 1.2million employers having met their duties.The Government’s December 2017 review of automatic enrolment set out our ambition to build on that success, with a comprehensive and balanced package of proposals to further strengthen pension saving. The proposals, which are aimed at continuing to build a stronger, more inclusive savings culture for future generations, include lowering the minimum age entry point for automatic enrolment from 22 to age 18 and removing the lower earnings limit so that contributions are calculated from the first pound of earnings. Our ambition is to work towards implementing these changes in the mid-2020s.

Children: Maintenance

Helen Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people who had an earnings deduction order for child maintenance subsequently lost their jobs and claimed job seeker's allowance in 2016 -17.

Kit Malthouse: The Department does not readily collate information on the number of people paying child maintenance via a deduction from earnings order who subsequently lost their job and claimed Job Seekers allowance within the year 2016-17. Obtaining the information to answer this question could only be provided at a disproportionate cost.

Universal Credit

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many work coaches have been allocated within her department to assist universal credit claimants in each month of the last three years for which data is available.

Alok Sharma: The requested data below is derived from the DWP’s Activity Based Model (ABM) and/or Departmental Activity Based Model (DABM) and is unpublished management information which is collected for internal DWP use only. The Models are validated at the financial year end and the data provided for 2017/18 is provisional. MonthApr 15May 15Jun 15Jul 15Aug 15Sep 15Oct 15Nov 15Dec 15Jan 16Feb 16Mar 16Work Coach FTE*5246237288379081,0091,1691,3371,4871,6211,8792,084 MonthApr 16May 16Jun 16Jul 16Aug 16Sep 16Oct 16Nov 16Dec 16Jan 17Feb 17Mar 17Work Coach FTE*2,2742,4082,5182,5762,7112,8152,9933,1103,2433,3213,4123,520 MonthApr 17May 17Jun 17Jul 17Aug 17Sep 17Oct 17Nov 17Dec 17Jan 18Feb 18Mar 18Work Coach FTE*3,7013,7033,8144,0174,1334,2054,3894,5664,9925,1245,2005,313 Notes: * FTE: Full Time EquivalentThe actual levels of deployment to roles including work coach is measured by manual inputs to the ABM system, indicating a % distribution of an individual’s time across a number of activity labels.The table below shows the FTE recorded in ABM against the various activity names associated with “work coach”, but not including “assistant work coach”.A like for like comparison across years should not be attempted, given that the work coach role and the ABM definitions which defined work coach activity and processes at any given time will have changed quite significantly over time. As a result, some FTE captured against activity codes which are now deemed to be obsolete are excluded from the ABM system, meaning that these figures may be slightly lower than previously published work coach FTE figures.This data is not deemed a National Statistic by the UK Statistics Authority.

State Retirement Pensions: Females

Mr Roger Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, for what reason additional resources have not been provided to the Independent Case Examiner to ensure that complaints made by WASPI women and all others are allocated and processed in a timely manner; and if the Government will provide such resources.

Kit Malthouse: The Independent Case Examiners (ICE) Office provides a demand led service. The time it takes to allocate and process complaints varies depending on the volume of referrals received, the complexity of the cases on hand and the available investigative resource. The Office is currently experiencing high volumes of referrals as a direct result of the Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) campaign. Its resources are reviewed on an annual basis and additional resource has been provided for the 2018/19 financial year. The ICE Office aims to provide the higest quality of service and despite current waiting times, 82% of those who responded to the ICE customer survey said they were satisfied with the service they received.

Personal Independence Payment: Appeals

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many pieces of correspondence her Department has received from honourable Members on waiting times for personal independence payment appeals tribunals in each year since its inception.

Kit Malthouse: The information is not available in the format requested other than at disproportional cost.

Social Security Benefits: Children

Margaret Greenwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the Government’s decision to remove the ordering restriction on exceptions to the two-child limit for the child element of Child Tax Credit and Universal Credit for children in kinship care and adopted children, what assessment her Department has made of the effect of that two-child limit on women who have conceived a child through non-consensual sexual intercourse and who then subsequently choose to have two further children with a new partner.

Alok Sharma: The Department for Work and Pensions does not hold the information requested.

Universal Credit

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what proportion of households receiving universal credit are repaying debts incurred on (a) the social fund, (b)crisis loans, (c) tax credit overpayments, (d) housing benefit overpayments and (e) other forms of social security debt, inherited before claimants began drawing universal credit.

Alok Sharma: The information requested is not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Forestry Commission: Land

Dr David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has had discussions with the Forestry Commission on its proposal to dispose of (a) Mortimer Forest, near Ludlow and (b) other areas of the land it owns; whether his Department has a role in approving (i) the process for and (ii) individual proposals to dispose of such land; and if he will publish the protocols under which the Commission can itself decide on such disposals to a private organisation.

George Eustice: There has not been any discussion on land disposal because the Forestry Commission has no plans to dispose of Mortimer Forest or any other significant areas of land. We remain committed to maintaining the Public Forest Estate in trust for the nation. As set out in the Written Ministerial Statement on 7 November 2017 we will not allow any net reduction in size of the Estate. The Forestry Commissioners are empowered to buy and sell land on behalf of Ministers but before doing so on any significant scale they would be expected to consult Ministers.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Apprentices

Jack Lopresti: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what levels of apprenticeships are offered by his Department; and how many apprenticeship starts there were at each level in each of the last three years.

George Eustice: Defra currently offers apprenticeships ranging from Level 2 (Business Administration) through to a Level 7 qualification in Finance. Since April 2016 there have been 79 apprenticeship starts in Defra, broken down against scheme level as follows: 2016/17 NameLevelEquivalent Educational LevelNumber of StartsAdvanced3A Level29Higher4, 5, 6 & 7Foundation Degree and above4**3 at Level 4 and 1 at Level 5 2017/18  NameLevelEquivalent Educational LevelNumber of StartsAdvanced3A Level16Higher4, 5, 6 & 7Foundation Degree and above30 Data on apprentices was not held centrally in 2015 so we are unable to provide information for that year.

Forestry Commission: Property Development

Sir Hugo Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will set out all land owned by the Forestry Commission where development has been granted for holiday centres or associated tourist developments.

George Eustice: Listed below are the sites on land managed by the Forestry Commission where there have been the most significant visitor developments. Many of these are long standing and where required the necessary planning consents are in place. The sites where planning permission has been granted and work has not started or is in progress are noted. Forestry Commission Visitor Centres Alice Holt ForestBedgebury National Pinetum and ForestBolderwood Car Park and Visitor SiteCannock Chase ForestDalby ForestDelamere Forest – consent granted - redevelopment pendingFineshade WoodGrizedaleHaldon Forest Park – consent granted - redevelopment pendingHamsterley ForestHicks LodgeHigh Lodge Thetford ForestKielder Castle Visitor CentreKielder Water and Forest ParkMoors Valley Country ParkRosliston ForestSherwood PinesThames Chase Forest Centre & BroadfieldsWendover - consent granted – redevelopment underwayWhinlatterWyreWestonbirt Arboretum Forest Holidays Cabin Sites Keldy, North YorkshireCropton, North YorkshireSherwood Forest, NottinghamshireThorpe Forest, NorfolkBlackwood Forest, HampshireForest of DeanDeerpark, CornwallDelamere Forest - Consent granted - development pending Camping in the Forest Campsites Hollands Wood, New ForestAldridge Hill, New ForestAshurst, New ForestDenny Wood, New ForestHolmsley, New ForestLongbeech, New ForestMatley Wood, New ForestOcknell, New ForestRoundhill, New ForestSetthorns, New ForestPostern Hill, SavernakeBracelands, Forest of DeanChristchurch, Forest of DeanSherwood Forest – under development Third Party Developments (not listed above) Matlock, cabin siteRosliston, cabin development with Local Authority

Animals: Sales

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what guidance his Department has issued to online marketplaces on the regulations that apply the sale of animals.

George Eustice: We are in the process of drafting guidance that will accompany the new regulations which will update the laws on the selling of animals as pets, including online. This will be available in due course and well before the new regulations come into force on 1 October. The guidance will be available to local authorities and all vendors of pet animals.

Furs: Sales

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of extending the ban on the sale of cat, dog and seal fur to other species.

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of extending the ban on importing the fur of cats, dogs and seals to that of all species in the fur trade.

George Eustice: The Government shares the British public’s high regards for animal welfare and, after we leave the EU, the Government plans to retain the current regulations banning the import of cat and dog fur and products, and seal skins and products from commercial hunts.The Government has pressed for higher animal welfare standards worldwide to phase out cruel and inhumane fur farming and trapping practices in other parts of the world, which are banned here.

Pets: Theft

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the effectiveness of the Theft Act 1968 on deterring the theft of pets.

George Eustice: Under the Theft Act 1968, the maximum penalty for the theft of a pet is 7 years’ imprisonment. The Sentencing Council updated its guidelines in relation to sentencing for theft offences in February 2016. The guidelines take account of the emotional distress and therefore harm that theft of personal items such as a pet can have on the victim and accordingly recommends higher penalties for such offences. Since 6 April 2016, all dogs in England and Wales must be microchipped and registered to an approved database by the time they are eight weeks old. In addition to reuniting lost or stolen dogs with their owners, this will also help to reduce the numbers of strays that have to be kennelled and re-homed by local authorities and dog re-homing charities.

Animals: Licensing

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to require all animal owners to hold a licence to own an animal.

George Eustice: The Government has taken many steps to improve the welfare of animals, such as introducing legislation that will make it compulsory for all slaughterhouses to have CCTV; compulsory microchipping of all dogs; new laws to improve welfare standards in pet shops, dog breeding establishments, riding establishments, boarding establishments and in the exhibiting of animals; updating codes of practice for the welfare of cats, dogs, horses and meat chickens; and we will also be increasing the maximum penalty for animal cruelty offences tenfold from six months’ imprisonment to five years’ imprisonment. The Government therefore considers that there is no need to introduce a licensing scheme along the lines proposed.

Clean Air Zones: Nottingham

Alex Norris: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has conducted an economic impact study on the effects of clean air zones and associated air quality measures on businesses in Nottingham.

George Eustice: The Government assessed the impacts of charging clean air zones on businesses nationally in the 2016 impact assessment. This did not look at the impacts on Nottingham in isolation.  As set out in the NO2 plan, it is the responsibility of local authorities such as Nottingham to, as part of their feasibility studies, assess the impact a local plan could have on individuals and businesses, including through an economic impact assessment and a distributional and equalities impact analysis. This includes consultation of relevant stakeholders where appropriate.

Clean Air Zones: Nottingham

Alex Norris: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions (a) he, (b) Ministers and (c) officials of his Department have had with small and medium businesses in Nottingham on the financial effect of proposed clean air zones and associated air quality measures.

George Eustice: Defra has not had direct discussions with small and medium-sized businesses in Nottingham about the financial effect of clean air zones. The Government assessed the impacts of charging Clean Air Zones on businesses nationally in the 2016 impact assessment. This did not look at the impacts on Nottingham in isolation. The UK plan for tackling roadside nitrogen dioxide concentrations and documents associated with it, such as the Clean Air Zone framework, were consulted on several times, inviting relevant stakeholders to submit their views. As set out in the UK plan for tackling roadside nitrogen dioxide concentrations, it is the responsibility of local authorities such as Nottingham to, as part of their feasibility studies, assess the impact a local plan could have on individuals and businesses, including through an economic impact assessment and a distributional and equalities impact analysis. This includes consultation of relevant stakeholders where appropriate.

Hinkley Point C Power Station: Cardiff

Stephen Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether (a) he, (b) Ministers and (c) officials of his Department have discussed the relocation of sediment from the Hinkley C project site to Cardiff Grounds with (a) the Welsh Government, (b) EDF and (c) Natural Resources Wales.

George Eustice: Implementation of the marine licensing regime in England is a function delegated to the Marine Management Organisation (MMO). The MMO has not engaged in any recent discussions with the Welsh Government, EDF or NRW specifically regarding the relocation of sediment from the Hinkley Point C project to the Cardiff Grounds disposal site. The disposal of sediment at this site is regulated by Natural Resources Wales (NRW). I can confirm however that the Countryside Council for Wales (NRW’s predecessor) and the Welsh Government were consulted on the original marine licence application(s) for Hinkley Point C in 2012.

Home Office

Human Trafficking: Cairnryan Port

Mr Alister Jack: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether his Department has identified the port of Cairnryan as a route for human trafficking; and if he will make a statement.

Caroline Nokes: Tackling human trafficking and modern slavery, both in the UK and overseas, is a priority for the government.The tackling of human trafficking is a devolved matter for the Scottish Government. At the border, intelligence-led operations to disrupt traffickers and protect victims is the key to Border Force’s response to the threat of Modern Slavery. Through the Modern Slavery Threat Group, Border Force work alongside UKVI, IE and other law enforcement agencies to identify and disrupt modern slavery offenders.It is not Border Force Policy to release port specific information as it could compromise operational and National Security.

Asylum

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent estimate he has made of the number of people who have had their application for asylum refused but cannot legally be returned to their country of origin.

Caroline Nokes: Information on the number of people who have been refused asylum but cannot be legally returned to their own country is not recorded in a format which is reportable. To establish this information would be at a disproportionate cost to the department.

Visas: Health Professions

Daniel Zeichner: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 8 May 2018 to Question 140194, for what reasons information on Tier 2 applications by doctors and nurses turned down over the last 12 months is not included in statistics published by his Department.

Caroline Nokes: The information requested on specific professions is not held on the statistical databases and could only be produced at disproportionate cost.Statistics on refusals of applications for Tier 2 visas are published in the quarterly Immigration Statistics, Visas volume 1, table vi_01_q, latest edition at https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/immigration-statistics-october-to-december-2017

Chemicals: Electronic Commerce

Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the updated leaflet entitled Sell Chemical Products Responsibly, published by her Department on 4 April 2018, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of that leaflet in giving guidance to online retailers on their statutory duty to report suspicious purchases under the Poisons Act 1972.

Mr Ben Wallace: The “Sell Chemical Products Responsibly” leaflet was re-issued following amendments to Schedule 1A to the Poisons Act 1972 laid on 3 April. It was designed with face to face transactions in mind, providing some indicators of suspicious transactions as well as how to identify products of concern and report suspicions. Specific, tailored guidance has been shared with online retailers to support their reporting obligation under the same Act.

Police: Rural Areas

James Cartlidge: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment he has made of the cost of policing rural areas compared to urban areas.

Mr Nick Hurd: The Home Office has not made an assessment of these relative costs. It is a matter for Chief Constables to determine the most effective policing model for their police force area, taking into account local conditions and priorities.

Fire and Rescue Services: Finance

Julie Elliott: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that the fire service is adequately funded.

Mr Nick Hurd: Fire and rescue services have the resources they need to do their important work. Overall fire and rescue authorities will receive around £2.3 billion in 2018/19.Single purpose fire and rescue authorities will see an increase in core spending power of 1.2% in cash terms in 2018/19, and an overall increase of 0.3% from 2015/16 to 2019/20. Financial reserves held by single purpose FRAs increased by 88% to £615 million between 31 March 2011 and 31 March 2017. This is equivalent to 45% of their core spending power.

Fire and Rescue Services: Pay

Julie Elliott: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that firefighters are paid fairly.

Mr Nick Hurd: The Government recognises the vital work that firefighters undertake in protecting our communities and it is essential that they receive a fair pay award that reflects their role.Firefighter pay in England is the responsibility of the National Joint Council, comprising of representatives from both the employers’ and employees’ side. Any award agreed by the NJC is paid from fire and rescue authorities’ existing budgets. Central Government has no role in this process.

Asylum: Housing Benefit

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people have had their housing support terminated as a result of a failed asylum claim in (a) Liverpool, Wavertree constituency, (b) Liverpool, (c) Liverpool City Region, (d) Merseyside and (e) England in each of the last two years.

Caroline Nokes: The Home Office does not publish support cessation data.Information on numbers of cases who have had support terminated broken down by reason for cessation and by area of the UK is unavailable and could be produced only at a disproportionate cost.

Immigration: Windrush Generation

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the Written Statement of 10 May 2018, HCWS674 on Immigration, if he will make is his policy that information in response to the call for evidence to inform design of the compensation scheme will not (a) be used for the purposes of immigration enforcement and (b) affect access to welfare benefits.

Caroline Nokes: Information provided as part of the Call for Evidence will only be used to inform the design options and scope of the compensation scheme. It will not be used for the purposes of immigration enforcement or affect individual’s access to welfare benefits.

Immigration

Kate Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if his Department will publish an immigration white paper before the Migration Advisory Committee's final report on the effect on the UK labour market of the UK’s exit from the European Union is published.

Caroline Nokes: Our first priority in negotiations was to reach a deal on citizens’ rights, which we did in December. This gives certainty to those EU citizens living in the UK, and UK nationals living in the EU, that they can continue living their lives broadly as now.We are considering a range of options for the future immigration system and will set out initial plans later this year.

Horse Racing: Arrests

Toby Perkins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many arrests have been made at each Horse Racing racecourse in 2018; and for what offences those arrests were made.

Mr Nick Hurd: The Home Office does not centrally hold the information requested.The Home Office collects and publishes data on the number of arrests for notifiable offences on a financial year basis. The Home Office collects and publishes these data at the offence group level, for example, ‘Sexual offences’ or ‘Miscellaneous crimes against society’, broken down by police force area. More detailed information on the location of the arrest are not collected.Data on the number of arrests are published in the ‘Police Powers and Procedures, England and Wales’ statistical bulletin. The latest bulletin, covering the year to 31 March 2017, can be accessed here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/police-powers-and-procedures-england-and-wales

Fires: Domestic Appliances

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many and what proportion of accidental fires in England and Wales were caused by faulty appliances and leads in each of the last last ten years.

Mr Nick Hurd: The Home Office publishes data on accidental primary fires by cause of fire in table FIRE0605 here:https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/fire-statistics-data-tables#cause-of-fireThese data are only available from 2010/11 onwards and are for primary fires (excluding secondary and chimney fires) in England only. Fire statistics data for Wales are published by the Welsh government here:http://gov.wales/statistics-and-research/fire-statistics/?lang=en YearNumber of accidental primary fires causes by faulty appliances and leadsProportion of accidental primary fires caused by faulty appliances and leads2010/1112,22819%2011/1211,46519%2012/1311,41121%2013/1410,68319%2014/1510,37219%2015/169,71118%2016/179,60318%

Migrant Workers: Conditions of Employment

Layla Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent discussions he has had with Ministers of the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy on the effect of migrants working in the UK on Tier 2 skilled worker visas being subject to a 20-day annual limit on unpaid leave from work on those workers' right to strike; and if he will make a statement.

Caroline Nokes: If a Tier 2 or 5 migrant is absent from work without pay for 4 weeks or more in a calendar year, their leave may be curtailed. Any decision to curtail will take into account all relevant circumstances, including absences due to strike action.

Passports

Stephen Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many passports were wrongly issued  and subsequently cancelled or suspended in the last year.

Caroline Nokes: Her Majesty’s Passport Office is unable to provide data on how many passports were wrongly issued and subsequently either cancelled or superseded in the last year. This information is not readily available and can only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Ports: Wales

Stephen Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many additional (a) Border Force personnel and (b) customs officials the Government plans to assign to Welsh ports of entry in (i) 2018, (ii) 2019 and (iii) 2020.

Caroline Nokes: Border Force is working closely with other Government Departments on the detailed logistical and operational planning for managing all the impacts of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU, on and at the border.Border Force actively monitors workflows to ensure sufficient resources are in place to meet demand and will continue to do so throughout negotiations and as the UK leaves the EU.

Passports: Armed Forces

Stephen Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people born outside of the UK to active UK armed forces personnel from 1970 to 2016 were (a) issued British passports and (b) denied British passports at first application in (i) 2016, (ii) 2017 and (iii) 2018.

Caroline Nokes: This information is not readily available and could therefore only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Department for International Development

Developing Countries: Pneumonia

Chris Law: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, whether her Department is taking steps to prioritise tackling pneumonia throughout the world.

Alistair Burt: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I provided on 23 February to Question number 128984.

Developing Countries: Health Services

Chris Law: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps her Department is taking to support developing countries to establish universal health coverage.

Alistair Burt: Achieving Global Goal 3 by 2030, including universal health coverage (UHC), is a priority for the UK. The UK supports countries to move more rapidly towards UHC by building strong and resilient health systems that meet essential needs for all. To achieve this, DFID provides technical assistance and financial support directly to countries, political and financial support to the World Health Organisation, and funding for research and new products that reduce the prices countries pay for essential commodities. Through health partnerships the UK enables others to learn from the UK’s own experience and expertise in providing UHC through the NHS.

Developing Countries: Health Services

Chris Law: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what support her Department is providing to the Department of Health and Social Care to use the upcoming World Health Assembly as an opportunity to encourage other countries to Invest in strengthening their healthcare systems.

Alistair Burt: DFID works closely with the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) on the UK’s relationship with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and its Member States, including sending a joint delegation to the World Health Assembly. The recent Independent Commission for Aid Impact’s review on the UK aid response to global health threats noted that a coherent shared vision and an effective joint approach between DFID and DHSC contributes to the UK’s success in influencing WHO reform. Strengthening health systems to deliver universal health coverage (UHC) is a priority for the UK. The UK publicly supports the WHO’s leadership role on UHC and urges other Member States to accelerate progress towards this goal.

Yemen: Diphtheria

Stephen Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, how much her Department spent on aid for the treatment of diphtheria cases in Yemen in (a) 2015, (b) 2016 and (c) 2017.

Alistair Burt: As part of our partnership with UNICEF in Yemen, UK aid is funding vital immunisations against deadly disease outbreaks in Yemen, including diphtheria, as well as helping to train staff on the ground on how to deal with new cases. Our overall funding to UNICEF was £21.7 million in the financial year 2015/2016, £19 million in the financial year 2016/2017 and £27 million in the financial year 2017/2018.

UNRWA: Finance

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will take steps to ensure that the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East has adequate funding for the 2018 annual Children's Summer Camp in Gaza.

Alistair Burt: We recognise the valuable role UNRWA plays in supporting young Palestinian refugees across the region. We are aware that as a result of funding pressure some of their programming, including the Children’s Summer Camp, may be at risk. The UK will deliver its next round of financial support earlier than originally planned to help meet the immediate needs of Palestinian refugees, and remains unequivocally committed to supporting both UNRWA and the education of Palestinians.

Scotland Office

Channel Four: Scotland

Lesley Laird: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what discussions he has had with Channel 4 on the location of their new national headquarters.

David Mundell: The final decision on location is a matter for Channel 4 alone, not the UK Government, and therefore I have not had any discussions with Channel 4. I warmly welcome the broadcaster’s agreement to move 300 staff out of London, rising over time. Channel 4 has launched a process in which cities and regions across the UK can pitch to become the home of the broadcaster’s new National HQ and creative hubs. As I stated recently, Glasgow has made an ambitious and creative pitch to be the new home of Channel 4, and I’m absolutely certain it would be the right choice.

Royal Bank of Scotland: Scotland

Lesley Laird: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what recent discussions he has had with the Royal Bank of Scotland on branch closures in Scotland.

Lesley Laird: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what discussions he has had with representatives of the Royal Bank of Scotland on reductions in mobile banking services in Scotland.

David Mundell: I have met with RBS to discuss their recent announcements. Decisions on opening and closing branches and the format of the provision of service are taken by the management team of each bank on a commercial basis and the Government does not intervene in these decisions. The RBS Group retains its own board, which is responsible for these strategic and management decisions.

Cabinet Office

Cabinet Office: Sick Leave

Paula Sherriff: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office,  what information his Department holds on the amount of sick leave taken by civil servants for mental health issues in (a) his Department and (b) the civil service, in each of the last two years for which data is available.

Oliver Dowden: The Civil Service recognises that good workforce health and wellbeing is fundamental to delivering effective public services. We support people so that they can remain at work where possible and to return as soon as they are ready following sickness absence. The Cabinet Office holds information on the amount of sick leave taken and the reasons for sick leave taken for (a) all of the civil servants in the Department who have recorded absence due to sickness. This includes sick leave for mental health issues that in each of the calendar years 2016 and 2017 amounted to less than 1 day of absence per staff year. Statistics on sick leave taken by staff in the Cabinet Office are published quarterly in arrears at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cabinet-office-absence-data .  The Cabinet Office collates data on sickness absence from (b) civil service departments and agencies on a quarterly basis in order to understand variation across departments and overall civil service trends. The data can be broken down across a range of types of illness including mental ill-health. The latest data held covers the years leading up to and including Q2 2017 (July 2016 - June 2017). In this period there was an average of 1.7 days per staff year of absence due to mental ill health across the civil service. In the previous year (July 2015-June 2016) there was an average of 1.8 days per staff year of absence due to mental ill health across the civil service. The latest Civil Service sickness absence data for Q1 2017 was published on 14 December 2017 and is available online at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/civil-service-sickness-absence . The Civil Service continues to review how it can actively manage all sickness absence and improve health and wellbeing at work even further, ensuring that it consistently delivers the high level of service that the public demand and expect.

Public Sector: Billing

James Frith: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many complaints from sub-contractors in respect of slow and poor payment practices have been (a) received since the Mystery Shopper service was established by year and (b) followed up by visits by year; and whether any such complaints were received from a company linked by contract to Carillion.

Oliver Dowden: The Mystery Shopper Service publishes results of the investigations into the cases received on a quarterly basis:https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/mystery-shopper-results

Crown Commercial Service: Small Businesses

Jon Trickett: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment he has made of SMEs ability to bid for inclusion in Crown Commercial Service Management Consultancy Framework 2.

Jon Trickett: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what actions the Crown Representative for SMEs has taken in relation to SME's ability to bid for inclusion in Crown Commercial Service Management Consultancy Framework 2.

Oliver Dowden: The Crown Commercial Service (CCS) believes that Lot 1 of Management Consultancy Framework 2 (MCF2) provides the primary opportunity for small businesses to bid, especially as we have used the new simplified bid pack, which reduces red tape. Lot 1 has no threshold or restriction on the number of suppliers, and the lot definition 'business consultancy' is wide enough to be able to facilitate smaller engagements with micro-SMEs should there be the requirement to do so. The role of our Crown Representative for SMEs is to encourage and support more small businesses to bid for and win government business.

Government Departments: Procurement

Jon Trickett: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether he plans to require Government suppliers to publish (a) their processes for dealing with and (b) anonymised outcomes of whistleblowing cases and complaints as a condition of entering into contracts with Government.

Oliver Dowden: The Government has noted that this is one of the recommendations in the latest report on ethical standards in outsourced public services published earlier this month by the Committee on Standards in Public Life (CSPL). We will make our formal response to the Committee in due course.

Treasury

Treasury: Apprentices

Jack Lopresti: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what levels of apprenticeships are offered by his Department; and how many apprenticeship starts there were at each level in each of the last three years.

Robert Jenrick: The Treasury has recently updated its apprenticeship offer and now offers apprenticeships at levels 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7. Apprenticeship starts over the last three years are:  Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 62015/16229102016/17015202017/180841 2015/16 was particularly large intake of apprentices, so lower numbers since are more indicative of an annual intake for a small department. The recent approval of public policy and economics apprenticeship standards will allow Treasury to facilitate increased numbers in future years.

Royal Bank of Scotland: Scotland

Lesley Laird: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent discussions he has had with the Royal Bank of Scotland on branch closures in Scotland.

Lesley Laird: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions he has had with representatives of the Royal Bank of Scotland on reductions in mobile banking services in Scotland.

John Glen: Treasury Ministers and officials have meetings with a wide variety of organisations in the public and private sectors, including RBS, as part of the process of policy development and delivery. Details of ministerial and permanent secretary meetings with external organisations on departmental business are published on a quarterly basis and are available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/hmt-ministers-meetings-hospitality-gifts-and-overseas-travel RBS Group retains its own board which is responsible for commercial and operational decisions, including in relation to its branch network. The Government’s shareholding in RBS Group is managed at arm's length and on a commercial basis through UK Financial Investments Ltd, a company which is wholly owned by the Government. How banks choose to provide their services is a commercial matter, and the Government does not intervene in those decisions. However, the impact of closures on communities must be understood, considered and mitigated, where possible. Government supports the industry’s Access to Banking Standard, launched in May 2017, which commits banks to ensure personal and business customers are better informed about branch closures and the reasons for them closing, along with the options they have locally to continue to access banking services. The Access to Banking Standard is monitored and enforced by the independent Lending Standards Board. Government also supports the Post Office’s banking framework agreement which enables 99% of personal and 95% of banks’ business customers to conduct their everyday banking services at a Post Office counter via its network of 11,600 branches. In March, in response to my request, the Post Office and UK Finance committed to joint work to raise public awareness of the banking services available at the Post Office for individuals and small and medium-sized enterprises.

Royal Bank of Scotland: Closures

Lesley Laird: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions he has had with the Royal Bank of Scotland on branch closures throughout England and Wales.

John Glen: Treasury Ministers and officials have meetings with a wide variety of organisations in the public and private sectors, including RBS, as part of the process of policy development and delivery. Details of ministerial and permanent secretary meetings with external organisations on departmental business are published on a quarterly basis and are available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/hmt-ministers-meetings-hospitality-gifts-and-overseas-travel. RBS Group retains its own board which is responsible for commercial and operational decisions, including in relation to its branch network. The Government’s shareholding in RBS Group is managed at arm's length and on a commercial basis through UK Financial Investments Ltd, a company which is wholly owned by the Government. The decision to open or close branches is a commercial matter, and Government does not intervene in those decisions. However, the impact of closures on communities must be understood, considered and mitigated, where possible. Government supports the industry’s Access to Banking Standard, launched in May 2017, which commits banks to ensure personal and business customers are better informed about branch closures and the reasons for them closing, along with the options they have locally to continue to access banking services. The Access to Banking Standard is monitored and enforced by the independent Lending Standards Board. Government also supports the Post Office’s banking framework agreement which enables 99% of personal and 95% of banks’ business customers to conduct their everyday banking services at a Post Office counter via its network of 11,600 branches. In March, in response to my request, the Post Office and UK Finance committed to joint work to raise public awareness of the banking services available at the Post Office for individuals and small and medium-sized enterprises.

Members: Correspondence

Emma Hardy: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, when he plans to reply to the letter of Wednesday 18 April 2018 from the hon. Member for Kingston upon Hull West and Hessle on the tier 4 CAHMS inpatient unit in Hull.

Robert Jenrick: I can confirm that I have today replied to the letter to the Chancellor from the hon. Member for Kingston upon Hull West and Hessle on the tier 4 CAHMS inpatient unit in Hull.

Social Services: Tax Allowances

Stephen Timms: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what plans he has to improve the advice provided for care workers on tax relief for travel expenses.

Mel Stride: As announced at Autumn Budget 2017, HM Revenue & Customs will continue to work with external stakeholders to improve the guidance on employee expenses, particularly travel and subsistence and the process for claiming tax relief on non-reimbursed expenses. This includes guidance relevant to care workers.

Money Laundering

Anneliese Dodds: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether HMRC has undertaken an investigation into the company agent that formed (a) Augela Systems LLP, (b) PR-Vert system Ltd and (c) Ronida Invest Ltd, all of which  have a registered office at Cornwall Buildings, 45-51 Newhall Street, Office 330, Birmingham, B3 3QR, in relation to allegations of money laundering as a result of records obtained by the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project.

Anneliese Dodds: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether HMRC has undertaken an investigation into the company agent that formed Griden Developments Ltd, which had, a registered office at 22 Brondesbury Park, London, England, NW6 7DL, in relation to accusations of money laundering as a result of records obtained by the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project.

Anneliese Dodds: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether HMRC has undertaken an investigation of the company agent that formed Valemont Properties Ltd, which had a registered office at International House 221 Bow Road, London, E3 2SJ, in relation to allegations of money laundering as a result of records obtained by the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project.

Anneliese Dodds: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether HMRC has undertaken an investigation into the company agent that formed Tenby Services Ltd which had a registered office at International 145-157 St. John Street, London, EC1V 4PW, in relation to allegations of money laundering as a result of records obtained by the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project.

Mel Stride: HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is unable to comment on any investigations into individuals or businesses. However, as part of its remit, HMRC has a multi-faceted role in identifying and tackling money laundering, including supporting the efforts of other agencies, such as the National Crime Agency, in responding to the activities identified in the so-called ‘Laundromat’ exposé. Under the Money Laundering Regulations 2017, HMRC supervises those Trust or Company Service Providers (including company formation agents) that do not fall under the supervision of the Financial Conduct Authority or legal or accountancy professional bodies. The action HMRC takes to discharge those supervisory responsibilities and its wider role in tackling financial crime, including support to government initiatives on targeting illicit finances, are described in a recent publication ‘Report on Tackling Financial Crime in the Supervised Sectors 2015-2017’. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/704163/Report_on_Tackling_Financial_Crime_in_the_supervised_sectors_2015_to_2017.pdf

Royal Bank of Scotland: Closures

Catherine McKinnell: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he has made an assessment of the potential effect on consumers in England of (a) recent and (b) forthcoming RBS bank branch closures.

John Glen: The Treasury has not made an assessment. The decision to close a branch is a commercial issue for the management team of the bank. However, Government believes it is important the impact on communities must be understood, considered and mitigated where possible. The Government supports the industry’s Access to Banking Standard which commits banks to ensure personal and business customers are better informed about branch closures and the reasons for them closing. It also helps customers to understand the options they have locally to continue to access banking services, including specialist assistance for customers who need more help. The Access to Banking Standard is monitored and enforced by the independent Lending Standards Board. Government also considers it important that all customers, wherever they live and especially those who are vulnerable, can still access over the counter services. That is why we support the Post Office’s Banking Framework Agreement, which enables 99% of banks’ personal and 95% of banks’ business customers to withdraw cash, deposit cash and cheques, and make balance enquiries at a Post Office counter via its network of 11,600 branches. The Government is committed to ensuring that communities across the UK are fully aware of the important services that remain available to them at their local Post Office, even if their bank branch is closed. In March, in response to my request, the Post Office and UK Finance have committed to work together to raise public awareness of the banking services available at the Post Office for individuals and small and medium-sized enterprises.

Debts

Frank Field: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what progress his Department has made on the roll-out of the breathing space policy in relation to problem debt.

John Glen: The government is currently undertaking a detailed policy design process on breathing space, working in close conjunction with stakeholders. Based on this work, as well as responses received to a recent Call for Evidence, the government will consult on a single policy proposal on the scheme later this summer.

Children: Day Care

Sir Desmond Swayne: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many IT faults with the 30 hours childcare system have been outstanding since November 2017; and if he will make a statement.

Elizabeth Truss: I refer the Honourable Member to the answer I gave on 28 March 2018 (PQ 134907).

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Brain: Injuries

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whether his Department issues guidance to sports colleges and teaching coaches on recognising the dangers of concussion; and if he will make a statement.

Tracey Crouch: We are acutely aware of the potential effects of concussion and serious head injuries in sport. Baroness Tanni Grey- Thompson produced a report into Duty of Care in Sport and the report dedicated an entire chapter to safety, injury and medical issues. DCMS have been regular attendees at and contributors to the Forum on Concussion in Sport and Physical Education chaired by the Sport and Recreation Alliance (SRA). This Forum has produced guidelines for the education sector, which was praised by the Duty of Care report. Expert advice is available for schools and colleges to help them assess activities and ensure they are safe for pupils. The Association for Physical Education and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents provide advice to schools on how to manage activities safely and reduce the risk of injuries and accidents, including concussion.

Gambling

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whether his Department plans to bring forward legislative proposals to mandate actions to be taken by online bookmakers to tackle problem gambling .

Tracey Crouch: As the statutory regulator for gambling in Great Britain, the Gambling Commission has powers under the Gambling Act 2005 to determine the rules under which gambling companies operate. The Gambling Commission has identified a number of key areas where it plans to consult on changes to its regulatory requirements to enhance the protections afforded to online gambling customers. In particular, the Gambling Commission is proposing to require operators to set limits on players’ spending until affordability checks have been completed, and to introduce stricter licence requirements for gambling companies to know their customers and intervene at an earlier stage before players experience harm.

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport: Apprentices

Jack Lopresti: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what levels of apprenticeships are offered by his Department; and how many apprenticeship starts there were at each level in each of the last three years.

Margot James: The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport offers apprenticeships at all levels for each standard through our external suppliers, Babington Group and Civil Service Learning. The levels and number of apprenticeship starts are broken down by financial year in the tables below: 15/16NameLevelNumbersHigher41 16/17NameLevelNumbersHigher44 17/18NameLevelNumbersHigher42The Department is committed to a target of 2.3% 1,300 which equates to approximately 30 apprentices for the 2018/2019 financial period. The target will remain the same for 2019/2020. We are taking the following actions to ensure we meet this target: We have updated our strategic approach to apprenticeships and will be investing in proactive “marketing” of the offer to shift perceptions.We have developed a “convert to apprenticeship” programme for employees as part of our development offer for existing staff.We have revised the approach to resourcing so that specific appointments will be targeted to undertake an apprenticeship in their role.We have appointed a new provider who will support us to deliver leadership and management apprenticeships

Comcast and 21st Century Fox

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what criteria his Department has used to assess the bids submitted by (a) 21st Century Fox and (b) Comcast for the takeover of Sky plc; and whether that criteria includes the activities of those companies in overseas jurisdictions.

Matt Hancock: The Secretary of State has powers to intervene in certain media mergers on public interest grounds under the Enterprise Act 2002. The decision to intervene is quasi-judicial and must be taken independently based on all relevant evidence available. Guidance on the Enterprise Act 2002 sets out the scope of the broadcasting and cross-media public interest considerations. Any transaction will be looked at on its merits, on a case-by-case basis. Due to the quasi-judicial nature of the decision, it would be inappropriate to comment further in relation to any specific transaction. In relation to the proposed merger between 21st Century Fox and Sky, On 23 January I provided an update to the House on the CMA’s interim report on their investigation into the proposed merger between 21st Century Fox Inc and Sky Plc. I have received the final report from the CMA regarding the findings of their phase 2 investigation. Now that I have received this report, I must come to my decision and publish the report within 30 working days (by 13 June). My decision will be on whether the merger operates or may be expected to operate against the public interest, taking into account the specified public interest considerations of media plurality and genuine commitment to broadcasting standards. When I have reached a decision I will return to Parliament to make an oral statement. I will come to a view on whether to make a final order or accept any final undertakings in due course, and will consult on these publicly, but not before I have taken a decision on the public interest tests. Given my ongoing quasi-judicial role, I will not be making any comment about the substance of the report until I publish my decision.

Comcast

Ian Paisley: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, with reference to the broadcasting standards set out in the Enterprise Act 2002, if he will make an assessment of adequacy of Comcast's (a) compliance and (b) customer service record in the (i) UK and (ii) US in relation to that company's bid to take over Sky Plc.

Matt Hancock: The Secretary of State has powers to intervene in certain media mergers on public interest grounds under the Enterprise Act 2002. The decision to intervene is quasi-judicial and must be taken independently based on all relevant evidence available. Guidance on the Enterprise Act 2002 sets out the scope of the broadcasting and cross-media public interest considerations. Any transaction will be looked at on its merits, on a case-by-case basis. Due to the quasi-judicial nature of the decision, it would be inappropriate to comment further in relation to any specific transaction.

Sanitary Protection: VAT

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, how much money raised from the tampon tax has been allocated to BAME women's organisations since 2016.

Tracey Crouch: £45 million of UK wide Tampon Tax Funding has been raised since 2016. £30 million of this has been awarded in direct grants of which £3.3 million has been allocated to projects that specifically support BAME women’s organisations. The remaining £15 million has been awarded to organisations making onward grants. Much of this funding is still to be allocated, but so far approx. £900,000 has been awarded to projects that specifically support BAME women’s organisations.

Nuisance Calls: Data Protection

Ged Killen: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of the implementation of the General Data Protection Regulation on (a) nuisance calls and (b) the ability of nuisance callers to retain and share personal data.

Margot James: The General Data Protection Regulation and the Data Protection Bill - currently progressing through Parliament - will require organisations to apply the data protection principles. Organisations using personal data to make nuisance calls risks breaching these principles. Organisations may be liable to the new financial penalties and other enforcement action if they are found to be in breach of the rules.

Nuisance Calls: Data Protection

Ged Killen: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of the implementation of the General Data Protection Regulation on the level of cold calling from (a) inside and (b) outside the EU.

Margot James: The General Data Protection Regulation will ensure that data processed within the EU, and the data of European citizens processed outside the EU, is done in accordance with the Regulation's principles.

Radio Frequencies

Jo Stevens: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, when the Government plans to publish its funding scheme to compensate owners of equipment affected by the clearing of the 700 MHz band of radio spectrum for mobile network operators.

Margot James: Frequencies in the 700MHz spectrum band are being cleared as part of a programme to ensure that spectrum frequencies are used as efficiently as possible, and to allow them to be used to support demand for new mobile broadband services in the future. In the vast majority of cases viewers should have seen no difference to their Freeview TV services. A simple re-tune of TV equipment should have restored services following a clearance event. A support scheme is available to viewers that have been affected by a clearance event. A help line is available to assist with concerns and provide advice on how to retune TV equipment.

House of Commons Commission

Parliament: Security

Sir Christopher Chope: To ask the right hon. Member for Carshalton and Wallington, representing the House of Commons Commission, what medical counter measures are in place to protect police officers responding to potential biological incidents on the Parliamentary estate; and if he will make a statement.

Tom Brake: Whilst the Commission does not comment in public on security matters, I can confirm that medical counter measures are in place to protect police officers responding to potential biological incidents on the Parliamentary estate. A member of the Security Operations team would be happy to discuss these arrangements in more detail with the hon. Member.

House of Commons: Packaging

Jamie Stone: To ask the right hon. Member for Carshalton and Wallington, representing the House of Commons Commission, how much the House of Commons spent on (a) disposable cups, (b) disposable food containers and (c) disposable cutlery in each of the last three years.

Tom Brake: In each of the last three years the House of Commons spent the following amounts on disposable cups, disposable food containers and disposable cutlery:  201520162017Disposable cups£37,134£40,771£41,258Disposable food containers£29,862£34,391£37,536Disposable plastic cutlery£4,834£4,631£5,426

Northern Ireland Office

Official Visits: Republic of Ireland

Paul Girvan: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if she will publish the guidance on protocol for members of the Irish Government visiting in an official capacity (a) Northern Ireland and (b) other parts of the UK .

Karen Bradley: Established practice is that the Northern Ireland Office is officially informed about Irish Government visits to Northern Ireland by the Irish Side of the British Irish Intergovernmental Secretariat. With regard to visits to the rest of the UK, the practice is for the Irish Government to arrange routine visits through the Irish Embassy in London, with the FCO providing support for State and Guest of Government visits.